Sheer Sheer Driving Pleasure www.istra.com Istria of Attractions Historical and Natural Cultural, emissions in g/km (combined): 168–162. 2 BMW Z4 M40i Roadster: Z4 M40i Roadster: BMW consumption in l/100 km (combined): 7,4–7,1. Fuel CO THE ALL-NEW BMW Z4. UNFOLD UNFOLD YOUR DREAMS IN ISTRIA. Cultural Itineraries Natural Wonders Frescoes of Istria Parenzana, Route of Venetian Architectural Archaeological Parks 1 Brijuni National Park 7 Špilja Mramornica - Mramornica Cave In search of Istrian frescoes is an exquisite Health and Friendship Heritage In open-air archaeological parks the visitor Brijuni National Park is one of the most beautiful of Mediterranean archipelagos. Deer, ze- The Mramornica Cave, one of the largest subterranean chambers in Istria is situated south and exiting cultural journey. We find about Parenzana holds a place of honour among Venice’s long rule on the west coast (13th will find remains of ancient civilizations: the bras, an elephant and other exotic animals live in the safari park on the largest of the 14 is- of Brtonigla, in untouched nature. It presents us with a richness of cave life, first described 140 localities with frescoes all over the penin- pedestrian and cycling trails in Istria. It fol- -18th century) and in Istria’s interior (15th foundations of their lodgings, walls and ar- lands. Its mild micro climate favours the growth of native vegetation and the dense Mediter- by the Italian travel writer Alberto Fortis in 1770. The steep opening leads into a 100-m-long sula. Some are elaborate compositions, oth- lows the same route as did the Parenzana -18th century) has left a trail of architec- tefacts that could not be placed in a muse- ranean underbrush that covers a third of the island’s area of 7 km2. Brijuni, the only national and 50-m-high treasure chest of stalactites and stalagmites in various shades of red, yellow ers just scenes or fragments, mostly found railway that once joined Trieste and Poreč, ture and monuments. In the 15th century um but remain at the original site, bearing park in Istria, was once a jet-set meeting place, and the summer residence of President Tito. and brown. The highest stalagmite reaches a height of 13 m. in churches where they were much more from 1902 till 1935. The trail winds through many streets and squares already had witness to the ancient people of Istria, their In the Bay of Veriga, we find the remains of antique rustic villas. than just décor. Depicting Biblical scenes green landscapes, alongside old viaducts a Venetian look. Even in smaller towns, customs and lives. We learn of the Bronze but also universal issues regarding human and tunnels, where once a small, slow lo- houses were built with large windows and Age tribes through their hill-fort villages 2 Učka Nature Park 8 Feštinsko Kraljevstvo Cave destiny, they released suppressed emotions comotive chugged. The train stations and balconies in the style of Venetian Floral in over three hundred locations in Istria, and brought enlightenment to the illiterate little houses bring to mind old times. But Gothic. Internal courtyards were intro- through their thick fortified walls, graves Nature Park Učka, a mountain excursion centre covering 160 km2, separates Istria from The Kingdom of Feštini Cave is a small subterranean paradise in the heart of Istria. The medieval peasant. The first frescoes in Istria where did the railway tracks go to? The duced, and houses had several stories. In and gravestones. These little known hill-fort the Kvarner Region. On a clear day, the highest peak Vojak (1401 m) provides a fantastic cave was discovered in 1930 in the village of Feštini, not far from Žminj. During the WWII, it appeared during the Carolingian rule. Their Italian authorities dismantled them and the late Middle Ages and the Baroque, the inhabitants were succeeded by the Histri - panorama of the Alps, Gorski Kotar and the Adriatic islands. Here we can see the griffon sheltered the landowner from raging armies. The interior of the cave is 80 m long. Walking golden period is the Gothic Age (15th cen- loaded them unto a ship. Legend has it aristocracy and wealthy bourgeois families an Iron Age people. Lavish rustic villas and vulture and the golden eagle, pick asparagus or chestnuts, or walk along the educational through it we find several natural sculptures: the Magician’s Hat, the Tower of Babel, and tury) when some of the most magnificent that the ship sank on the way to Africa, so built palaces. We find Venetian influence outbuildings along the west coast tell the trails of Slap and Plas. The impressive Vela Draga Canyon with its limestone towers is an the enormous Bat’s Wings with grape vines. examples of wall paintings in Istria were pro- parts of Istrian history lie hidden in the sea. not only in residential buildings, but also in story of Roman culture that blossomed in exceptional experience. duced. In the 16th century the fashion faded Bringing together three countries, Paren- public buildings such as town halls. Other Istria after the Roman conquest of the His- and many walls containing frescoes were zana is a symbolic road of friendship, a kinds of public architecture such as defen- tri people. Among the better known parks 3 Rt Kamenjak - Cape Kamenjak 9 Romualdova Špilja - Romualdo’s Cave plastered with mortar. Today, restoration is great venture in revitalising historical her- sive towers, fortifications or town loggias, is Nesactium by Pula, where in the 2nd under way in abandoned churches and many itage and an ode to healthy living and the abundant in Istrian towns, as well as many century BC the pivotal battle between the Cape Kamenjak is the most southern part of Istria. Nature lovers will find this peninsula Romualdo’s Cave is one of the oldest habitats of early man in Istria. It is located alongside the Lim treasures have been found. Some frescoes preservation of scenic beauty. churches, carry the seal of Serenissima. Romans and the Histri people took place. irresistible. It has a 30-km-long indented coastline, full of small coves, valleys and beaches Channel on the steep slope of Mount St. Martin, 120 m above sea-level. The meandering cave is are still waiting for the hand of the expert to Today, it is a treasure chest of findings from surrounded by crystal clear sea. It is a well-known habitat of orchids (33 varieties) and has 150 m long and consists of 7 chambers, once used by Stone Age hunters. According to legend, it bring them back to their original glory. different epochs. over 500 plant species. On Fenoliga, a nearby islet, there are dinosaur tracks. The Cape itself became the home of St. Romualdo of Ravenna in the early 11th century. After his departure, the offers a unique view from all its vantage points. faithful visited the site. Today, it houses a colony of bats. The entrance to the cave is only 47 cm high. Glagolitic Alley Castles of Istria The Path of Dinosaurs Stone Huts and 4 Limski kanal - Lim Channel 10 Pazinska Jama - Pazin Abyss The Glagolitic alley is a monument hon- Istrian medieval architecture is marked by The first dinosaur footprints in Istria were Drystone Walls The Lim Channel is a flooded canyon in the karst located between Vrsar and Rovinj. The The Pazin Abyss is one of the most striking examples of karst pits in Istria. The 500-m-long ouring the first Slavic alphabet called the castles: stone fortresses in which feudal found in 1925 on the Veli Brijun island, An Istrian kažun (stone hut) is made of lo- elongated sea bay (12 km) is encircled by steep, forested hills, in some places over 200 entrance that dominates the landscape of the old town of Pazin inspired world famous writers Glagolitic Script in which an important part lords resided and controlled their lands. and later on the islet of Fenoliga by Cape cal stone without the use of any binding m high, giving the impression of a Nordic fjord. Lim is a part of the 35-km-long Limska (Jules Verne, Dante, Yriarte). At a depth of 100 m, the Pazinčica River sinks into subterranean of Croatian literature was written in the Castles were situated at strategic posi- Kamenjak. The bones of these great rep- material. An average sized kažun requires Draga, a valley that stretches almost to Pazin, in the centre of Istria. The old fashioned passages. It is the largest Istrian underground stream that flows towards the Raša River valley. 13th, 14th and 15th century. A series of tions; were made of stone and usually had tiles that ruled the planet in the Mesozoic up to 30 cubic metres of stone, weighing piers in the bay lead to beautiful vantage points and ancient caves. Mussels and oysters Over the abyss we find a bridge with a vantage point. The Pazin Castle, the largest medieval 11 statues along a 7 km road between Roč a main tower, fortifying walls, living quar- Era, when the north Adriatic was land about 70 tons. The roof is constructed in the are cultivated here. fortress in Istria, also affords a great view. and Hum honour the people and events ters, outhouses and an open courtyard. with only areas of very shallow sea wa- ‘false dome’ method and covered in stone that marked Glagolitic literacy in Istria. Lit- Castles were attacked, burnt down and ter, were found off the coast of Bale. Both slates. Similar structures but called by dif- 5 Mirna 11 Palud eracy blossomed in these two towns and then rebuilt.