Rovinj
On the western side of the Istrian peninsula, overlooking the sunset, surrounded by blue sea and numerous white islets, one of the most romantic and picturesque Istrian towns is located – Rovinj. Walking through its narrow streets and squares you’ll be fascinated with the beauty of high, closely built buildings which support each other on the hillside under the church of St. Euphemia, once shielded by secure medieval and renaissance city walls partly preserved even till today.
Rovinj is a town of infinite beauty and modern tourism, a combination of the past and the future. Eternally facing the sea from which it obtains its vivacity, way of life and spirit, it’s a perfect destination for all those who yearn for sentimental ambient of long gone times. Wherever you go, whatever way you choose you won’t get lost, and if you visit it you will never forget it.
It is less known that Rovinj was founded between the III and the IV century, under the name of Castrum Rubini as an island connected with the mainland with a very narrow stone bridge. Only in the XVIII century the stone bridge was brought down and the channel was filled in order to expand the town and at that point Rovinj, as we know it today, was born.
From the main, Matteotti square we enter the old town through the Old Fishmonger’s Gates – one of the existing gates out of which only three have been preserved in their original form: St Benedict’s Gates (today Coastal Gates), Under the Walls’ Gates and St Cross’ Gates, with the town arms, while the Old Fishmonger’s Gates, today Balbi’s Arch, underwent certain changes.
Numerous little streets which go from the square won’t give you a lot of possibilities to make a mistake. Some will take you for a tour through the old town and reveal centuries’ old secrets, others will escort you to the coast and offer you the unforgettable sunsets, and some, like Grisia, will turn into an open atelier which, once a year, hosts Rovinj artists so they can exhibit their works of art in an open air exhibition.
We’ll show you the town sights like the baptismal font of the Holy Spirit, the Franciscan Monastery, the castle on the island of St. Andrija, Domicile Museum of the town of Rovinj located in the baroque palace of counts Califfi or the town Acquarium, and reveal the secrets which are hidden under St Euphemia’s sarcophagus, the most important town sight.
You can simply yield to your senses and follow your ear in search for "arie de nuoto" and "bitinade", sung in Rovinj way of singing which can be heard during the Rovinj festival or you can enjoy in the Baroque festival which hosts top ensembles and soloists, or you can follow your nose in search for gastronomic and wine temptations which are numerous in this extraordinary little town, from local costal restaurants to home-made wines’ fair “Vinistra”.
For nature lovers unavoidable destinations are protected park-forest Zlatni rt (Punta Corrente – Golden Cape) and ornithological reserve - park Palud (Palud park). The surroundings of Rovinj is decorated with 14 islands and 6 sea rocks which in 1968 got the status of natural reserve for their intact beauty, lavish vegetation and tourist importance. Among them Sv. Andrija (St Andrew) and Sv. Katarina (St Cathrine) are the most attractive.
