Why Northwestern Istria? Welcome to 05 Northwestern Istria
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Why Northwestern Istria? Welcome to 05 Northwestern Istria 06-09 Umag 10-13 Novigrad 14-17 Brtonigla 18-21 Buje 22-27 Sport 28-37 Gastronomy & Entertainment 38-45 Nature & Camping 46-51 Wellness & Sea Welcome to Northwestern Istria Get to know a part of the Mediterranean in all the colours and specifi- cities of Istria – blue, orange, green and purple... Read the impressions of our Facebook fans who have already visited this corner of the world and be inspired by their experiences... Enjoy the blue colour of the crystal clear sea, acres of olive groves and vineyards, offering lovely beaches and wellness oases and don’t the best of the Istrian hinterland – natural parks forget to step into the orange world of first-rate and caverns, picturesque hillocks, abundant sports offer, immerse yourself into the green plant and animal life and the witnesses of colour of Istrian landscapes and campsites and times gone by in the form of well-preserved experience the pure hedonism in purple by tasting little churches and chapels. Istrian delicacies, premium wines and olive oils. Discover one of the best-known wine roads in Begin your adventure in Umag, the first town Croatia, gathering as many as twenty-three when you enter Istria from the north. Its charm, renowned winemakers and take pleasure in high quality sports offer and accommodation the exploration of olive oil roads, at which you facilities and a plethora of first-rate sports, can learn everything there is to know about musical and gastronomic manifestations will the production and processing of this famous leave you breathless. fruit while enjoying occasional tastings. Continue your voyage by following the coast Why Northwestern Istria? to the well-known fishing town of Novigrad, Get inspired by the experiences of those who an architectural gem overflowing not only have already tasted the wonders of this bea- with historical sites, rich cultural heritage utiful part of Istria - in this book you will find and preserved natural beauties, but also with original quotes of the readers of our Facebook wonderful gastronomic delicacies and other page Colours of Istria. We have asked them to attributes that will make anyone’s stay in the answer the following question: Why northwe- town more than enjoyable. stern Istria? Their most beautiful, most inspiring and most creative answers help us discover the Then set out on a journey to the Istrian interior, interests and desires of our guests and provide to green Brtonigla surrounded by acres and an even better and richer holiday experience. 4 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? INTRO 5 UMAG The first town when you enter Istria from the north captivates with its charm and varied and rich offer. Umag is a town boasting long and attractive coast The stretch between cape Katoro and cape Sipar was as well as interesting hinterland. It offers a variety not reserved exclusively for the villas of the wealthy, of things specific to Istria, and as such, is the best in- but was also dotted with village houses surrounded destroyed the town in 876. The inhabitants moved During your stay, do not miss the numerous troduction to a different Mediterranean experience. with land and inhabited by farmers, craftsmen, fish- to an island – the present-day town of Umag. events Umag has to offer, including Vegeta ermen and traders. The Romans later renamed the The town of Umag has a very interesting history. Croatia Open Umag, Umagination, Adria Music original settlement of Sepomaia into Siparis. Apart from its interesting history, Umag is nowadays It was discovered by the Roman nobility, who Conference, UmaGoblues, International Festi- also a well-known tourist destination owing to its decided to turn it into their summer residence. val of Antique Sepomaia viva and innumerable Due to the frequent pirate attacks, enemy incur- first-rate sports and gastronomic offer and high- The grandeur, luxury and glamour of the times sport and gastronomic manifestations. sions, earthquakes and continuous invasions of bar- quality accommodation capacities, luxury and fami- are still reflected in the Venetian houses in the barian hordes, the Siparians were forced to aban- ly-oriented hotels, villas, apartments and eco camp- old town centre. Parts of walls and towers, as Those who visited Umag are full of praise and don their settlement on several occasions and the sites, all developed in harmony with the true spirit well as Renaissance and Baroque buildings and beautiful metaphors, please read below: Neretva Pirates, lead by prince Domagoj, completely of nature and the Mediterranean as it once was. churches have also been preserved. 6 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? UMAG 7 Vatroslav Filomena Branka Umag is simply GREAT! Great town, great ahhh the seaaa people. Mariuccia Pierantonio a spring flower Marija Irina the beautiful Umag! ... the most beutiful city …Heaven on Earth! in Istra!! Tibor ....my favorite place. Milka Mirela A little oasis in a perfect ..a beautiful and interesting location. town in Istria :))) Marija Such beauty leaves you Alenka Mirko speechless. The town of UMAG IS SPLENDID!! memories. :) 8 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? UMAG 9 NOVIGRAD Once a tranquil fishing village of Novigrad gradually developed into an alluring destination for tourists from Europe and worldwide, many of whom regularly return. It managed to preserve its irresistible charm of a been preserved to this day, together with a square quiet fishing town, as well as its recognizable, al- tower guarding the town doors which were once tower constructed in 1883 and modelled after take place elsewhere in the town, and some of the most intimate atmosphere characteristic of small the main entrance into Novigrad. that of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The bell-tower best known are Art, Wine & Music, Gnam-Gnam Fest, Mediterranean towns. dominates the town’s vista, with the statute of St. Astro party Lunasa, Summer carnival and photograph The ciborium of Bishop Mauritius, a rare example Pelagius, the patron saint of Novigrad, on top. All manifestation Foto eX-Tempore. Regardless of which The town walls embraced and preserved the en- of the art of the early Carolingian era, was pre- festivities, celebrations and gatherings once took season you find yourself in Novigrad, there will always tire rich history of the town, its valuable monu- served and is now displayed in the Lapidarij mu- place in its immediate surroundings, at the main be premium restaurants offering the best of the local ments, tradition and culture, the first written seum currently holding one of the most relevant square, as seen on a number of old photographs. Istrian cuisine and top Istrian wines and olive oils. mention of which dates back to the long-ago collections of stone monuments in Croatia. year of 599. The old town centre was once fully One of the certainly most recognizable elements While many manifestations are still held in the vicin- Why the visitors to Novigrad return to this town enclosed by a defensive wall, parts of which have of the local heritage of Novigrad is the town’s bell- ity of the bell-tower at the main town square, others again and again, they explained in their comments: 10 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? NOVIGRAD 11 Maja I’m gonna be here in summer :) Tiziana It’s beautiful, and the view of the sea awak- ens some of my fondest memories! Edina Senad Caterina Simply gorgeous... :) I think of it every day. Stones and the sea... and horizon all over. Simply beautiful. Nives Ana my perfect summer the most beautiful city in getaway. Croatia and beyond.... :) Alessandro Ah, those stairs and the Heidi little stone wall!!!! So many Magical!! beautiful memories, Istria, you’ll remain in my heart forever. 12 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? NOVIGRAD 13 BRTONIGLA At first glance reserved and secluded, green Brtonigla reveals itself slow- ly, but those who get to know it can hardly resist the power of its charm. It offers the best of the Istrian hinterland – natu- years of his bishop’s service he reformed several by pathways which will take you to meadows and St. Rocco, and the Festival of Our Lady of Lourdes, ral parks and caverns, picturesque hillocks, church traditions. forests, deep into the midst of the pulsing nature Night of the Queens of Brtonigla, Star Chalices and abundant plant and animal life and is dotted This church in the centre of Brtonigla was recent- which lives on undisturbed far from the throng of the Festival of Istrian Malvasia are also a must. with the witnesses of times gone by in the form ly enhanced by a small park already embraced modern civilisation. It is also a place of premium of well-preserved little churches and chapels. by the locals as a place for siesta and rest in the wines and olive oils – numerous family cellars and Located only ten kilometres from the coast, Brto- The parish church in Brtonigla bears the name hot summer days, allowing guests and travellers tasting rooms tempt travellers to discover the au- nigla is the real oasis of quality vacation for the of St. Zenon, an early-Christian bishop from Ve- to experience a part of the authentic life of the thentic power of local life. demanding traveller of the 21st century. rona who is celebrated by this Istrian town as town and its inhabitants right next to the church. its patron saint. St. Zenon is believed to have To those wishing to enjoy green Istria, Brtonigla of- Every year, Brtonigla hosts one of the largest and This is what the fans wrote about the magic and been born in northern Africa and during the ten fers acres of vineyards and olive groves enveloped most popular Istrian folk festivals, the Festival of peace of Brtonigla: 14 WHY NORTHWESTERN ISTRIA? BRTONIGLA 15 Frenky Vid This is what I dream of - having a Peace and quiet is everything I small house by the sea - and I’ll keep need for a good long rest with my on dreaming family.