1 20 2 567 3 4 9 10 11 NATIONAL PARKS NATURE BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK - an exceptionally GORNJI (UPPER) KAMENJAK AND THE rich cultural and historical heritage on this MEDULIN ARCHIPELAGO - notable 14 isle archipelago. A former residence of landscape President Tito, it offers beautiful beaches, DONJI (LOWER) KAMENJAK - notable remains from Antiquity, a Zoo Safari park, landscape golf course and superb gastronomic selec- 12 PALUD - special ornithological reserve 14 tion and quality THE BAY OF LIM - special nature reserve - maritime nature reserve THE MOTOVUN WOODS - special forest vegetation nature reserve THE VEGETATION OF ISTRIA - notable landscape 13 15 stria truly is “terra magica”; blessed Discover I with unspoiled nature, the crown jewel of which are the Brijuni islands, hidden one of the most beautiful archipela- gos in the Mediterranean. This is a treasures land whose long and rich history can be read literally from dinosaur foot- of breath- prints. Fortified by the northerly bora taking and invigorated by the mistral, fra- f course, without forgetting the fa- grance imbued with Spanish broom, O mous Istrian cuisine! From delicacies ISTRIA. sage and lavender, drowsy from stone of the sea to delectable truffles, the liquid 21 history and pines, thyme and immortelle, with a gold of the domestic Malmsey, the aromatic climate that makes for a five month Muscat of Momjan, or the ruby-red Teran unspoiled long swimming season, Istria is in- that once fortified Casanova himself, your deed the ideal tourist destination. palate will combine these divine pleasures nature into a fusion of unforgettable Istrian ex- periences. So, rather than dreaming of the holiday of your life - wake up in Istria! 8 Istria. tep into this vibrant hub of civili- sessed by no other place in the Medi- of history behind it and a unique place S sations whose cultural arboretum terranean. Here, you will find a town in the Mediterranean. Pula boasts a di- has been jealously nurtured since the which, just like Rome, lies on seven hills verse, impressive cultural heritage. Just times of the Histri, the Celts and the and boasts a famous amphitheatre. On like the peninsula upon which it rose, Romans, through the Slavonic peoples one of those hills, a weary Hungarian it is not without reason that it carries a and the Venetians, all the way to the king felt the desire to exchange his re- feminine name. Modest but fascinating, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and you will splendent robes for the modest robe of Pula and Istria have long been known soon learn why Istria is so special. Re- a monk, and die in a state of sanctity. as enchantresses with a hundred faces, member the Legend of the Argonauts; The immortal Dante, inspired by the faces that have been seducing visitors In vain pursuit of Jason and the stolen view from a certain belvedere, wrote for thousands of years. Whoever strays Golden Fleece, having arrived to the the verses of his La Divina Commedia. once into their invisible web, and ex- shores of Istria, the people of Colchis The name of this town is Pula, Istria’s periences but a morsel of the joy they decided not to return to their home. largest urban centre. It is the beating can give, always wishes to return again, There is something in her magic, pos- heart of the peninsula, with 3000 years and again! [ 1.8.11.16.Rovinj 2.Savudrija 3.Umag 4.Vrsar 5.6.7.10.Pula 9.Poreč 12.13.Brijuni 14.Rt Kamenjak 15.Lim 17.Beram ] ] CULTURAL HERITAGE GASTRONOMY AMPHITHEATRE (Pula) - magnificent monument of Antiquity Truffles, Istrian pro- dating from the 1st century, once the arena where gladi- sciutto, olive oil, fish ators and lions fought, today a unique stage for festivals and frutti di mare and concerts specialties, meat and BASILICA OF ST. EUPHRASIUS (Poreč) - complex of early fish dishes prepared Byzantine architecture and art dating from the 6th century, 16 under a “peka”, ome- included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage CHURCH OF ST. EUPHEMIA (Rovinj) - an imposing creation lette with asparagus, of Baroque architecture and art with a rich collection of works “fuži” (home-made of art and the sarcophagus of the patron saint of the city pasta) with game DANCE MACABRE (Beram) - a small church with unique goulash, “biska” frescoes dating from the 14th century brandy, Istrian soup, DVIGRAD - remains of a medieval town indigenous wines TWO-PART SINGING IN THE ISTRIAN SCALE - UNESCO Teran, Refošk, Istri- Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage 17 and Malmsey 1 22 [ 1.Opatija 2.Lovran 3.Oraj ] 2 3 RIJEKA DELNICE OPATIJA LOVRAN CRIKVENICA KRK NOVI VINODOLSKI CRES RAB Kvarner. LOŠINJ KVARNER. 23 Where true diversities come together. erhaps you imagine an ideal holiday, one where you can set P off from the shore towards sunny islands, and then sail back Kvarner. to seek the peace and quiet of a mountain peak. In the process you dream of a sun-bathed Riviera that can, should you so wish, be replaced within a span of 10 km by ascetic peace and fresh mountain air where you are in the company of eagles, wolves and bears, and where your lungs are filled with forest scented air. If that is indeed the case, then you are looking for Kvarner and Gorski kotar - separate parts of this small country that differ significantly one from the other. 1 2 3 24 [ 1.2.3.Opatija 4.5.6.7.8.Rijeka ] o begin with, walk the wonderful gardens and parks to lead you towards Set off T Opatija Riviera and enjoy its 12 km Rijeka, the metropolis of the littoral and long promenade by the sea. Here, the today the largest trading and maritime from the foundations of tourism were laid way centre of the northern Adriatic. Sitting back in 1844, when a wheat merchant under the watchful eye of the magnifi- Opatija with vision decided to build the first cent fortification of Trsat, with the oldest hotel in Opatija; the famous Villa Angi- Marian sanctuary in Croatia, together Riviera... olina. It was not long before the town with a Franciscan monastery, St. Vitus’ became one of the most elite summer Cathedral and the famous votive chapel, resorts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; Rijeka is a fascinating city, not just as a one that attracted many famous names - maritime centre but also one of enviable from members of the imperial family, to cultural and artistic life, and home to artists, scientists and politicians. Then, the greatest carnival event in Croatia. allow the elegant villas and hotels, lush 4 5 6 7 KVARNER. 25 TO EXPLORE CULTURAL HERITAGE 8 OPATIJA RIVIERA - a 12 km long promenade SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF TRSAT - the oldest Marian sanctuary in along the edge of the sea Croatia, with a Franciscan monastery ISLAND OF KOŠLJUN - spiritual and vegeta- TOWN OF RAB - medieval churches and aristocratic palaces THE BAŠKA PLAQUE (Bašćanska ploča, island of Krk) - the largest tional paradise - Park Wood Croatian LUBENICE (island of Cres) - stone-built settle- written monument in old Glagolitic ment, 378 metres ASL script, dating from the 12th century OSOR - town with a turbulent history, and, ZRINSKI CASTLE (Čabar) nowadays, lovely musical evenings IVAN GORAN KOVAČIĆ MUSEUM, and the amphitheatre (Lukovdol) DOLPHIN WATCHING: Cres-Lošinj aquatorium VRBOVSKO - traditional architecture ADVENTURE SPORTS: windsurfi ng, parachut- TWO-PART SINGING IN HRVATSKO PRIMORJE - UNESCO ing, paragliding, car racing, wake-boarding, Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage rafting, kayaking, cycling, diving, sailing ANNUAL CARNIVAL BELL RINGERS’ PAGEANT FROM THE Cycling trail, hiking trails, mountaineering KASTAV AREA - UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural routes Heritage Kvarner. hBr 1 2 3 4 [ 1.7.9.11.13. Krk 2.Cres 3.Osor 4.5.12. Rab 6.Baška(Krk) 8.Brseč 10.Lošinj 14.Gorski kotar 15.Crikvenica ] Epic images amid the blue of the sea f you are yearning for the silence of the umbrella pines, and the 2700 species of allow you to observe the habitat of rare grif- I wide blue expanse and the charm of the amazing fl ora. These islands will also reveal fons, and in the waters beneath them enjoy islands, then set off into the Kvarner Bay, themselves as the habitat of an enviable the magical play of dolphins and Mediter- ringed by the mythical Absyrthian islands number of animal species. Strolling through ranean monk seals. All those seeking clean from the legend of the Argonauts: Rab, Krk, the towns of Lošinj, Osor on the island of air with special medicinal properties should Cres and Lošinj. Apart from enjoying the Cres, or Vrbnik on Krk, will open up their continue their journey in the direction of the epic sights of bora-bleached cliffs, coves nooks and crannies, revealing numerous Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera which, in 1906, and inlets reaching deep into the sea, remains of a rich heritage, like the famous was offi cially declared a climatic health re- small sunbathed towns with stone-built Baška Plaque - a carved stone monument sort, and where the Therapia Hotel - one of houses, abandon yourself to the intoxicat- of the Croatian language dating from the the most beautiful hotel buildings along the ing fragrances of lavender, sage, myrtle and year 1100. A climb to the peaks of cliff s will entire Croatian coast - was built in 1895. 26 NATURE ZELENI VIR - special geomorphologic reserve UČKA - nature park JAPLENŠKI VRH - special geomorphologic VELA DRAGA - geomorphologic natural reserve phenomenon BIJELE STIJENE (white rocks) and SAMAR- ANGIOLINA PARK AND ST. JACOB’S SKE STIJENE (samar rocks) (Mrkopalj) - strict (Opatija) - park architecture monument nature reserve Velebit - Nature Park LOPAR (island of Rab) - notable landscape, stunning 1,500 m long sandy beach DUNDO (island of Rab) - special forest vegetation nature reserve FOJIŠKA-PODPREDOŠĆICA (island of Cres) - special ornithological nature reserve SOURCE OF THE KUPA RIVER (Čabar) - natu- NATIONAL PARKS ral phenomenon RISNJAK - Rich and diverse animal and plant FUŽINE - mountain lakes and caves world, karstic phenomena 5 6 Kvarner.