Impressions
This majestic construction, popularly called the Arena of Pula, is the most famous monument in Pula and the most visited one also. It was built in the 1st Century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. There is a legend that he built this monumental construction in the honor of his lover Antonia Ceridi. The Arena was a battleground for many brave gladiators and a place of entertainment for the spectators. There is also an underground passage with a regular exhibition of viticulture and olive growing in Istria in ancient times. It's one of the best preserved Roman Amphitheaters in the world. Today it's a place for many summer performances such as the Film Festival, operas, concerts, Equestrian Festival and more.
The most impressive cultural monument of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean is the Euphrasius Basilica in Porec. In 1997 it has been recognized by UNESCO and enlisted on world heritage list. Dating back to the 6th Century, the most beautiful fragments are its mosaics, which are considered to be amongst the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world. The entire complex of Euphrasius Basilica is made of the Euphrasius basilica itself, then the parish church, sacristy and the cela trikora, baptismal font and bell tower, Maurus Oratory, as well as the nearby Bishop's Palace. It’s worth to climb the bell tower because of the splendid view of Porec and its surroundings.
One of the most beautiful landscapes in Istria is the flooded canyon valley of the Lim Channel. It was formed by the river eroding the ground on its way to the Adriatic Sea, when the sea level was lower. Since 1967 it has been a protected monument of nature. The vegetation surrounding the bay is lush and green and very diverse, a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees can be seen. Explore an attractive Pirates Cave, which got its name by a Captain Morgan who supposedly traveled by his ship through Lim Channel. Boat rides are available to enjoy the Lim Channel like Captain Morgan a long time ago. To experience the Lim Channel in a more exciting way, there are great rocks up to 150 meters high to conquer, for all the free climbing lovers. One could actually stay for days and watch a play of light and shadow, and the color of the sea as it shines beneath the high cliffs.
During hot summer days, visit the phenomenal force of nature and take a walk in the shady woods of Pazin and discover the unique hydrogeological phenomenon, the Pazin Abyss. Beneath a hundred meters of the largest and best preserved medieval castle in Istria lies the crater of the most striking example of karst evolution in Istria. Pazin Cave even triggered the imagination of the world famous writer Jules Verne, while writing his novel Mathias Sandorf, when placing his characters in an underground passage connecting Pazin Cave and Lim Channel. Pazin Abyss, with the Pazin Cave, has been protected by law as an important landscape in Croatia.
Words are not enough to describe all the beauties of Cape Kamenjak. The peninsula of Cape Kamenjak, near Pula, is an intact oasis where all visitors can enjoy true nature. The charm of Cape Kamenjak is that it has kept its original appearance – extremely specific and valuable landscape made of green fields and bushes, rocky terrain and of course the lovely beaches with the crystal clear blue sea. Maybe the best way to experience it is by bike, there are a lot of bike trails around the peninsula. On the south edge of the peninsula is a small islet named Fenoliga where dinosaurs’ footprints have been discovered. This protected landscape, where time stays still, is a must see for all the visitors to the Istria region.
Come to an unbelievably small town with only 20 residents, actually the smallest town in the world. It may be the smallest, but the hearts of the towns’ people are great and friendly, especially towards the visitors. The town is partly enclosed by walls and a watch tower as a part of a towns’ defense, built far back in 1552. Inside the Parish Church of St. Jerome are the preserved "Hum Glagolitic wall writings", written in the formative period of Glagolitic and they are one of the oldest examples of Croatian Glagolitic literary culture in the middle Ages. Recently Hum is also known as the Town of Biska, a mistletoe schnapps, whose a century old recipe supposedly originated from Hum and it’s available to try at Hums’ tavern.
This magnificent archipelago thrills all the visitors with its diverse and beautiful plant and wild life. Just a short boat ride from Pula lays the only Istrian national park Brijuni Islands. There is a lot to see on the islands, but the most impressive is an archaeological site of the Byzantine cestrum – a late Roman settlement that it’s going to require a pair of comfortable walking shoes to make your sightseeing more pleasurable. On the largest Brijuni Island, the Veli Brijun, there is an interesting safari park with a wide range of wild exotic animals walking freely around the island. There are also tennis courts for all the tennis lovers. If you want to experience a game of golf in another more unique way then the Brijuni golf course is a next perfect destination for you.
A small medieval town situated in picturesque central region of Istria is going to make you wonder if you stumbled upon a forgotten part of world. This small town itself has five well preserved churches, the church of St. Vincenat, the parish church of Mary's Annunciation, the church of St. Anthony the Abbot, the church of St. Rochus, and the church of St. Catherine. But the most remarkable edifice of Svetvincenat is the impressive Grimani-Morosini castle, the largest and best preserved stone castle in Istria. In the summer months Istria Ethno Jazz festival is held in the castle and the nearby beautiful main town square and surrounding locations are used as the stage for the traditional Festival of Dance and the Non-Verbal Theatre.
Feel the spirit of the prehistoric times by visiting the amazing hill fort settlement dating back to the 1800. BC. It wasn’t discovered until the 1953 during a research tour of the land, by the two curators of Archaeological Museum of Istria from Pula. The settlement is surrounded by a stone drywall and divided into three parts – the Acropolis in the top position and the upper and lower town. The main gate is located in the western part of the settlement and it can be recognized by the display of Prix Europa Nostra Award. It is estimated that around 1000 people lived in this impressive settlement dating back to the bronze period. The hill fort of Monkodonja is considered to be the finest example of the architecture and urbanization of a prehistoric hill fort settlement in Istria.
Come and visit the magnificent ruins of an abounded medieval town dating back to the 9th Century. The area of the town was inhabited in prehistoric times thanks to the excellent strategic position, the closeness of water source and an abundance of fertile ground. The town is pretty well preserved - city gates are still present, so as the defense towers, two rings of city walls and the 200 houses. Most dominated feature of a town is the early Christian church of St. Sophia built on solid rock. In the middle of a 17th Century the town was hit by plague, so most of the inhabitants left and moved to the still present town of Kanfanar. Since the town is only 20 min. away by car from the town of Rovinj, it became an attractive destination for all the visitors to the Istria region.
Villas in Motovun will give you the opportunity to explore this small hilltop town which consists of three parts which are all connected by the fortifications with towers and city gates. Hiding inside is the church of St. Stephen, built at the beginning of the 17th century, it contains several interesting works of art. Growing in the heart of the Motovun woods are the white truffles, which are the best quality truffles in the world. Today the town proudly hosts the international Motovun Film Festival where independent and avant-garde films can be seen.
While staying in our villas in Porec don't miss to visit the Euphrasian Basilica. It's was built in the middle of the 6th century in the Byzantine style and it's considered to be one of most beautiful works of art in the world. Porec is a town with a rich cultural heritage where a massive city wall defies time and greets visitors from all over the world.
Villas in Pula are going to make your vacation feel like a trip to the past. Pula is a town with a lot of historical and cultural landmarks, but with no doubt the greatest of them all is the Amphitheater. This amazing monumental construction, popularly called the Arena of Pula, was built in the 1st Century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Today it's an impressive site where many concerts, operas, ballet, theatrical performances and film festivals are held. Embark on a historical journey to the Arena of Pula where many fierce gladiators bravely faced lions.
During relaxing vacation in oure villas in Rovinj, get ready to fall in love at the narrow streets of the Old Town and feel the spirit of the past. One of these a hundred years old stone streets lead to a Romanesque cathedral St. Euphemia. Don't be discouraged by the rather plain appearance of the outside, because the real beauty hides on the inside. Once you climbed the very steep wooden staircase that leads to a bell tower, a rewarding view of the town and the archipelago awaits you.
The perfect combination to spend your holiday is in a villa in Labin or Rabac. Labin is a medieval town situated on a hill above Rabac. Many artists became inspired by the town’s old charm and opened their own art galleries on the old stone streets. Rabac was once an old fishing village, but soon the beautiful bay was discovered by many visitors and became one of the favorite Istrian tourist destinations.
The old core of Buzet is situated on a hill above a fertile valley of the river Mirna. In the area of Buzet there are a lot of interesting, small medieval villages with rich and well preserved historical landmarks. Buzet is also called the city of truffles because it is located in an area where the most valuable underground mushroom is growing. Come to a town with remarkable vivid scenery, untouched nature and meet the friendly Istrian people.
By staying in a villa near Vizinada in Istria you can visit the sanctuary of God's field and the church of St. Barnabas dating back to the 13th century with frescoes and 15th century graffiti. During the manifestation Sweet Istria you will surely be enchanted by the smell of cakes spreading throughout the streets of Vizinada. The main gate offers a spectacular view of the gentle wooden hills, vineyards and the fertile valley of the river Mirna giving you a great sense of freedom.