Rovinj is a small town with only 15.000 inhabitants and is the strongest tourist center of Istria. Rovinj has a distinctive appearance and is surrounded by a total of 20 islands and islets (the best known are St. Catherine and St. Andrew). Rovinj is one of the most picturesque towns in the Mediterranean, characterized by art and romance.
As the official beginning of tourism in Rovinj can be taken the year 1888, when health resort Maria Theresa opened. This oldest institution of its kind on the Adriatic coast was built by "the Viennese society for the upbringing and development of marine hospitals and asylums for poor children and the sick rickets." This was followed by the construction of Hotel Jadran (today “Adriatic”), which was built before the First World War due to increasing tourist visits and arrivals of prominent figures on vacation.
Rovinj differs from other cities by its completely preserved urban core that is naturally grown and was built up under various influences. The core is characterized by numerous covered overpasses that open passages between individual streets or blocks of the houses. Panorama of Rovinj is enriched with the high tower of the church of St. Euphemia, with its statue on top, that seems like guarding high above the city rooftops.
TOP 5 ATTRACTION
- Island Peninsula - Rovinj began its life on the former island of Mons Albanus. The first archaeological traces of life date back to the Bronze Age, and the old town began to develop in the 3rd century. At the beginning of the 18th century the city expanded beyond the city walls and the mainland. The channel between the island and the mainland was buried in 1763 and therefor the old town became a peninsula.
- The City walls and gates - By the 7th century Rovinj was surrounded by town walls, and later strengthened by the construction of towers. The city had seven gates, and three still exist today: Vrata sv. Benedikta (Gate of St. Benedict), Vrata pod zidom (Portica) i Vrata sv. Križa (Gate of St. Cross).
- The Church of St. Euphemia - St. Euphemia (known as "St. Fuma") is the main attraction and symbol of Rovinj. The church keeps relics of the saint and presents one of the most beautiful Baroque achievements in Istria. Originally, on the same place, there was a small church of St. George. In the 10th century began the construction of the new, larger church, named after the Christian martyr Euphemia. Next to the church there is a bell tower, whose construction began in 1651 and lasted 26 years. The tower of the church of St. Euphemia is 62 m high, and is the highest bell tower in Istria. From the church plateau, there is a beautiful view of the open sea and numerous islets in the distance.
- Balbi's Arch - Balbi's Arch is the most famous entrance to the old part of Rovinj. At its present site once there was the main gate of a fortified city "Old Fish Market Gate" (Portone della Pescheria). From 1678th to 1679th the old city gate was pulled down, and in its place, was built Balbi's Arch.
- Eco-Museum "Batana House" - The museum is dedicated to the traditional wooden boat “batana” which, due to their longevity and specific building characteristics, is under the auspices of UNESCO. Local wooden boat constructers are building this type of boat for many decades and the boats are used daily by local fishermen and numerous Rovinj families. As the most traditional and most widespread vessel in Rovinj, batana is a symbol of the local heritage, but is also part of daily life of local residents of Rovinj.
ALSO WORTH A VISIT: Rovinj Heritage Museum, Crkva Svetog Križa (Church of the Holy Cross), Franjevački samostan (Franciscan Monastery), Kapela Presvetog Trojstva (Chapel of the Holy Trinity), Rovinj aquarium - Institute "Ruder Boskovic", Islands St. Andrew and St. Catherine, forest park Zlatni rt (Punta Corrente), Mini Museum Hütterott and ornithological park Palud (7 km from Rovinj).