Places to Visit
OLD TOWN : situated on the one-time islet is the most beautiful part of Rovinj, and in 1963. it was declared a cultural monument. Many narrow streets, beautiful palaces, small squares and interesting chimneys are making the old town extraodinary and incredibly charming. The old town was surrounded by city walls with 7 gates, while 3 still exist today.
''BALBI'S ARCH: is the main entrance into the old town, at the beginning of the popular Grisia Street. The arch was built in 17th century in baroque style, at the location of the former town gate, next to the Town Museum. The Arch is decorated with the winged lion – the symbol of St. Mark, and Balbi family's coat of arms. Interesting is the carved head of a Turk on one side and the carved head of a Venetian on the other side.
GRISIA STREET: is the most pittoresque street in the heart of the old town, from the Balbi's Arch till the Church of St. Euphemia. It is a lively street where numerous galleries and artists have found their home. Grisia is also the name of the largest mediterranean open sky exhibition that traditionally takes place on the second sunday every august .
PARISH CHURCH OF ST. EUPHEMIA: was built on a plateau above the old town, on the foundations of the previous churches. The three –nave church was built from 1728 to 1736 in baroque style, by the architect G. Dozzi from Venice. The bell-tower from the 17th century resembles the bell-tower of St.Mark's Basilica in Venice. On the top of the bell-tower stands the statue of St. Euphemia, patron-saint, serving as a wind vane. St. Euphemia was born in Calcedon near Constantinople in 304., in a respected christian family, during the reign of the roman emperor Diocletian. Because of her faith she was tortured and finally killed. According to the legend, the marble sarcophagus containing the remains of the Saint was found on the 13.07.800. in Rovinj, and today it can be seen inside the church behind the St. Euphemia's altar. The church has three altars designed by the Venetian altarist Girolamo Laureato. The main altar is dedicated to St.George, St. Marc and St.Rocco and the statues of those three saints are built in carrara marble. The bell-tower offers an amazing view over the city and its surroundings.
CHAPEL OF THE HOLY TRINITY: from the 13th century is the best- preserved Romanesque monument of the city. It is a heptagon building made of the istrian limestone. The most interesting part of the chapel is the stone transenna with the represantation of the crucifixion (Golgotha).
FRANCISCAN MONASTERY: and the church were built in the 18th century in baroque style. The building contains a museum of sacral artefacts from the 18th and 19th century, and a very rich library. In the summer many concerts of classical music are being held in the monastery.
TOWN MUSEUM: is situated on the main square, in the Baroque Califfi Palace. The museum contains valuable collections like: paintings by Old Masters (from the 16th to 18th century), contemporary art, ethnology, a library and collection of archeological finds. Some of the exhibits are: the ''Old Masters Gallery'', the ''Maritime Affairs'', ''Contemporary Croatian Art'' , ''Artists from Rovinj'' and others.
ECO - MUSEEUM ''THE BATANA HOUSE'' : Batana is a flat-bottomed wooden fishing boat used in Rovinj. It is a symbol of the citis long fishing tradition and everyday life of numerous generation. This popular vessel is between 4m and 8m long with oars and sail. Today, batana stands under the UNESCO protection. Many batana boats can be still seein in the harbor, and more about their history, and construction in the Eco – Museum ''The Batana Hous''.
PARK FOREST ''ZLATNI RT'': is the popular meeting point of sport and nature fans. ''Zlatni rt'' is the firs protected park-forest in Istria with the surface oF 52 hectar. This green oasis lies only 1,5 km away from the city center, directly on the coast. The park is home for more than one thousand domestic and foreign plant spesies. In the park are numerous beautiful lawns, alleys, cycle and walking tracks and beaches. Interesting ist the old quarry, today populare climbing site.
AQUARIUM: has more than 100 years long history. Aquarium is situated at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Center for Maritime Research and has a rich collection of local marine life.
PALUD: is the only ornithological park in Istria. It is situated 8 km southwest of Rovinj, in close vicinity to the sea. The park with the swamp is the habitat of over 200 resident and migratory bird species. Interesting is bird - watching or just a walk along 3,5 km long walking path through the park.
MONKODONJA: is one of the 350 fort hills so far registered in Istria and valuable archaeological area.It is situated 5 km from Rovinj, near the village Kukuletovica. In the period from 1800 and 1200 B.C.in the fort hill lived approximately 1000 inhabitants. The settlement was dividede into three parts (acropolis, upper and the lower city) and surrounded by the city walls. Becouse of the exploration and reconstruction it is easy to imagine today the art of living in ancient times.
LIM BAY: (Limski kanal) and valley is a peculiar geographic feature near Rovinj, and since 1964 protected natural monument. Lim bay is 12 km long estuary, and only one part of the 35 km long Lim valley of the river Pazinčica. The name comes from the Latin limes – border, because during the Roman Empire Lim Bay was a border beetwen two Roman provinces, today's cities Poreč and Pula. Lim bay is the best – known area in Istria with mussel and oyster beds, and fish farm. Interesting is the ''pirate's cave'' on the coast of the bay wich can be seen from one of the boat tour, by bike or on foot.. Lim bay is very popular excursion site, especially on a nice summer day.
OLD TOWN : situated on the one-time islet is the most beautiful part of Rovinj, and in 1963. it was declared a cultural monument. Many narrow streets, beautiful palaces, small squares and interesting chimneys are making the old town extraodinary and incredibly charming. The old town was surrounded by city walls with 7 gates, while 3 still exist today.
''BALBI'S ARCH: is the main entrance into the old town, at the beginning of the popular Grisia Street. The arch was built in 17th century in baroque style, at the location of the former town gate, next to the Town Museum. The Arch is decorated with the winged lion – the symbol of St. Mark, and Balbi family's coat of arms. Interesting is the carved head of a Turk on one side and the carved head of a Venetian on the other side.
GRISIA STREET: is the most pittoresque street in the heart of the old town, from the Balbi's Arch till the Church of St. Euphemia. It is a lively street where numerous galleries and artists have found their home. Grisia is also the name of the largest mediterranean open sky exhibition that traditionally takes place on the second sunday every august .
PARISH CHURCH OF ST. EUPHEMIA: was built on a plateau above the old town, on the foundations of the previous churches. The three –nave church was built from 1728 to 1736 in baroque style, by the architect G. Dozzi from Venice. The bell-tower from the 17th century resembles the bell-tower of St.Mark's Basilica in Venice. On the top of the bell-tower stands the statue of St. Euphemia, patron-saint, serving as a wind vane. St. Euphemia was born in Calcedon near Constantinople in 304., in a respected christian family, during the reign of the roman emperor Diocletian. Because of her faith she was tortured and finally killed. According to the legend, the marble sarcophagus containing the remains of the Saint was found on the 13.07.800. in Rovinj, and today it can be seen inside the church behind the St. Euphemia's altar. The church has three altars designed by the Venetian altarist Girolamo Laureato. The main altar is dedicated to St.George, St. Marc and St.Rocco and the statues of those three saints are built in carrara marble. The bell-tower offers an amazing view over the city and its surroundings.
CHAPEL OF THE HOLY TRINITY: from the 13th century is the best- preserved Romanesque monument of the city. It is a heptagon building made of the istrian limestone. The most interesting part of the chapel is the stone transenna with the represantation of the crucifixion (Golgotha).
FRANCISCAN MONASTERY: and the church were built in the 18th century in baroque style. The building contains a museum of sacral artefacts from the 18th and 19th century, and a very rich library. In the summer many concerts of classical music are being held in the monastery.
TOWN MUSEUM: is situated on the main square, in the Baroque Califfi Palace. The museum contains valuable collections like: paintings by Old Masters (from the 16th to 18th century), contemporary art, ethnology, a library and collection of archeological finds. Some of the exhibits are: the ''Old Masters Gallery'', the ''Maritime Affairs'', ''Contemporary Croatian Art'' , ''Artists from Rovinj'' and others.
ECO - MUSEEUM ''THE BATANA HOUSE'' : Batana is a flat-bottomed wooden fishing boat used in Rovinj. It is a symbol of the citis long fishing tradition and everyday life of numerous generation. This popular vessel is between 4m and 8m long with oars and sail. Today, batana stands under the UNESCO protection. Many batana boats can be still seein in the harbor, and more about their history, and construction in the Eco – Museum ''The Batana Hous''.
PARK FOREST ''ZLATNI RT'': is the popular meeting point of sport and nature fans. ''Zlatni rt'' is the firs protected park-forest in Istria with the surface oF 52 hectar. This green oasis lies only 1,5 km away from the city center, directly on the coast. The park is home for more than one thousand domestic and foreign plant spesies. In the park are numerous beautiful lawns, alleys, cycle and walking tracks and beaches. Interesting ist the old quarry, today populare climbing site.
AQUARIUM: has more than 100 years long history. Aquarium is situated at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Center for Maritime Research and has a rich collection of local marine life.
PALUD: is the only ornithological park in Istria. It is situated 8 km southwest of Rovinj, in close vicinity to the sea. The park with the swamp is the habitat of over 200 resident and migratory bird species. Interesting is bird - watching or just a walk along 3,5 km long walking path through the park.
MONKODONJA: is one of the 350 fort hills so far registered in Istria and valuable archaeological area.It is situated 5 km from Rovinj, near the village Kukuletovica. In the period from 1800 and 1200 B.C.in the fort hill lived approximately 1000 inhabitants. The settlement was dividede into three parts (acropolis, upper and the lower city) and surrounded by the city walls. Becouse of the exploration and reconstruction it is easy to imagine today the art of living in ancient times.
LIM BAY: (Limski kanal) and valley is a peculiar geographic feature near Rovinj, and since 1964 protected natural monument. Lim bay is 12 km long estuary, and only one part of the 35 km long Lim valley of the river Pazinčica. The name comes from the Latin limes – border, because during the Roman Empire Lim Bay was a border beetwen two Roman provinces, today's cities Poreč and Pula. Lim bay is the best – known area in Istria with mussel and oyster beds, and fish farm. Interesting is the ''pirate's cave'' on the coast of the bay wich can be seen from one of the boat tour, by bike or on foot.. Lim bay is very popular excursion site, especially on a nice summer day.
