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Istria inside out

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The heart-shaped peninsula

Whether it's the coast or the central part, Istria has a lot to offer. Do you like truffles, tennis, Roman architecture? Come to Istria! Interested in dinosaurs, completely preserved bodies of saints and goat beauty contest? Istria has it all. The summer residence of the former Yugoslav president, Josip Broz Tito, a giant omelette of 2011 eggs, olive-oil roads... yes, I am still talking about Istria.

This heart-shaped peninsula is a blend of Italian and Croatian traditions. Great powers such as the Roman Empire, the Republic of Venice and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy have passed this way and left their footprints behind. I've made this lens to give you an insight into this fascinating region of Croatia.

Istria in a nutshell

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How to get to Istria by air

Flight connections from European cities

The only international airport in Istria is Pula Airport which is located 6 km north east of Pula.
Jet2
This low cost airline will operate a new flight from Manchester to Pula from 14 May.
Ryanair
Ryanair flies to Pula from 4 European airports: Brussels-Charleroi, Oslo Rygge, London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn.
Germanwings
This German airline connects Pula with Berlin and Cologne in the summer.
Norwegian Air Shuttle
A Scandinavian discount airline that flies from Oslo to Pula on Saturdays.
Thomson Airways
The British charter airline operates flights between Pula and UK cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

Books about Istria

Did you know that Lonely Planet listed Istria among the 10 most interesting destinations for 2011?
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Istria ABC

  • A
    Annale exhibition is a yearly event in Porec, housed in the beautiful Istrian Council House. It focuses on contemporary art, both Croatian and international artists exhibit here.
  • B
    The characteristic, flat-bottomed wooden boat from Rovinj is called batana. This has been used by Istrian fishermen for centuries.
  • C
    Croatia Open is an international tennis tournament which was organised the 22nd time in 2011 in Umag. The ten days of the championship are all about tennis, we could say but it is not quite true: accompanying events like Party Umag and Istra Gourmet Festival attract plenty of visitors, as well.
  • I
    Istria is named after the ancient Illyrian istrii tribe. Much of what we know about this tribe comes from the records of the Romans who conquered them in 177 BC.
  • L
    Lopica is an architectural feature in Istria. It is a porch leading to the entrance of a building (usually a small medieval church), open from three sides and its roof is supported by columns or statues of angels.
  • O
    Istria is unimaginable without its rich olive groves. Just like wine roads, in Istria you can follow the olive oil road to taste the best Istrian olive oils and get acquainted with the ins and outs of its preparation.
  • T
    The inland of the peninsula, especially the area along Mirna river is famous for its truffle. Truffle is an underground mushroom and a real delicacy, in Istria it is the task of specially trained dogs to sniff it out. The best way to get to know more about Istrian truffle is to visit Tuber fest (truffle festival) in Livade which is held in October every year.
  • Y
    The highway of Istria is called the Istrian Y. Its eastern branch starts at Ucka tunnel and meets the western branch at Kanfanar. From Kanfanar you can drive south to Pula or northwest, towards the Croatian-Slovenian border. The highway has been completed recently and is being tolled.

Pula amphitheatre

One of the most imposing sights in Istria

Facts & figures about Pula arena

  • built by the Roman emperor Augustus (30-14 BC) and was enlarged during the rule of Vespasianus (71-81 AD)
  • its ellipse measures 132 x 105 m and a height of 32 metres
  • gladiator games take place here on Days of Antiquity
  • the main venue of the annual Pula Film Festival
  • in recent years stars like Anastasia, Sting, Zucchero, Jack Johnson and Jamiroquai performed on its stage

Pula and the Antiquity

Pula, the Roman Pola was a thriving town of the Roman Empire. From a legion station Pula grew into an important trade and cultural centre and had a population of about 30,000. The city was encircled by a fortified wall with ten gates, three of which, the triumphal Arch of the Sergii, the Gate of Hercules and the Twin gates are still standing today. The centre of ancient Pula was the forum which was surrounded by temples. From these only the Temple of Augustus has been preserved until today.
Besides the Amphitheatre Pula had two Roman theatres: the ruins of the smaller one are situated behind the Archaeological Museum of Istria.
Pula arena Istria

Pula Arena by night 

Rovinj

Istria's most romantic town is undoubtedly Rovinj. The old town of Rovinj together with the church of St Euphemia and its bell tower in the centre, is one of the most striking symbols of the peninsula.

Forthcoming events in Istria in 2012

Below are a few of the hundreds of events that take place in Istria each year.
  • 1Vinistra
    Vinistra is an international wine exhibition which is traditionally held in Porec. The aim of the exhibition is to give greater exposure to Istrian wines as well as promote other products of Istria such as spirits and olive oil. In 2012 Vinistra takes place from 13 to 15 May.
  • 2Croatia Open
    The oldest and the most prestigious tennis tournament in Croatia, held in Umag on 5-15 July this year.
  • 3Days of Antiquity, Pula
    Travelling back in time has never been so easy as on 7-9 June, 2012 when Roman Pula comes to life. Gladiator fights in Pula Arena, Roman breakfast on Giardini square and locals dressed in Roman togas: a few things visitors can expect when visiting Pula on this weekend.
  • 4Pula Film Festival
    The international film festival takes place in such unique venues as Pula Arena, The Castle of Pula and the Istria National Theatre on 14-28 July.

Parenzana

This fantastic bicycle race is held the 16th times in a row in 2012. The race was named after a former narrow-gauge railway called Parenzana which once led from Porec to Trieste connecting 33 Istrian cities. The railway track that was out of use for a long time is now the trail of this spectacular bicycle marathon.
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Euphrasian basilica

Just like Rovinj, Porec is an ancient town on the west coast of Istria. It was an important centre of early Christianity with its enchanting basilica that was built in the 6th century on the site of an even earlier basilica. This building complex named after its constructor, bishop Euphrasius comprises of an atrium, a baptistery, a lapidarium, a steeple, the bishopric and the cathedral. It is part of Unesco's World Heritage since 1998.
basilica, euphrasius, porec

Euphrasian basilica houses beautifully preserved frescos and mosaics. 

Explore the green Istria

The hidden gems of the interior of the peninsula
Castles in Istria
Travel back in time!
Vinistra
The most renowned wine exhibition in Istria
Jules Verne's Days
Pazin awaits you
The Istrian goat of the year
Do not miss this funny contest!

A secret getaway

Bored with the tourist crowds on the seaside? Drive a few kms east from Rovinj to find the ancient castle of an old noble family, the Bembos. Add to this an old church, some winding streets, lazy cats and Italian-speaking old ladies, sprinkle the whole with medieval atmosphere and you have Bale.

Bale

A tiny village with great traditions.

Istria, Bale

Click here for more information.

Top cities in Istria

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Venice and Trieste is just a short boat trip from Istria!

Olive oil in Istria

The cultivation of the "liquid gold"

Olive oil production looks back on a two thousand year old tradition in Istria. Everywhere you drive on the peninsula, you will see olive oil groves along the road. Follow the olive oil roads to find Istria's most famous olive mills where you can taste high quality oils and find out interesting things about harvesting and production from the growers themselves.

Olive oil roads are also a great opportunity to discover "green Istria', the interior of the peninsula.

Other lenses about Croatia

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Do you like Istria?

  • PBJasen Jan 23, 2012 @ 12:57 pm | delete
    I like it very much, and like your lens. Thanks for your writing about Istria and Pula my hometown.
  • terracroatia Jan 24, 2012 @ 2:35 pm | delete
    My pleasure! Your home is a wonderful place!
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