Istria, Croatia

Istria

Istria (Croatian: Istra) is the north-westernmost county of Croatia. In a triangular shape, it is enclosed in the north by Slovenia, east by the Kvarner region of Croatia and on the south and west by the Adriatic Sea.



After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the inner territory remained a feudal province occupied by Slavs, Frankish and finally Austrian Habsburgs, whereas the seaside fell under control of the Republic of Venice in the 13th century. Intermittent

Since 1797, the Croatian residents of Istria worked really hard for autonomy and were ruthlessly oppressed both by Austrians and Fascist Italy (after World War I), eventually ending with vengeance from Yugoslav partisans after the World War II, forcing most ethnic Italians to leave. A tiny ethnic Italian population still lives in the coastal towns. comparatively spared from the Yugoslav Wars, Istria is now a flourishing region. Recent years have seen a rising regional attitude and a reconciliation with its previously conflictive Italian character.

Nature:

The Istrian peninsula offers stark contrasts: The interior is unspoiled and mountainous with prehistoric walled cities on hills with surrounding lush fields. The Istrian seashore is possibly the most developed holiday-maker target in Croatia. Hordes of Italian and French tourists enjoy package tourism throughout the jam-packed high season.

Although Pula is the main city according to inhabitants and culture, relatively rural Pazin is the managerial centre of the peninsula. Istria is a fine county to practise climbing and biking, as much in the mountainous inland as on the coast. The Southern end of Istria is possibly the best place for biking. Ask for a bike map in Pula Tourist Office, showing well-marked routes around the coast and in the Cape Kamenjak.

Language

Croatian is the official and most common language, but in these previously Venetian lands Italian is nearly universally spoken. There is still an Italian cultural community in a lot of coastal towns. German is also very extensively spoken. A good number of restaurants in the main town also have an English speaker or two.

How to reach to Istria

Pula is the central transportation hub for Istria so most people will arrive there if they are not driving. Some cruiser lines arrive to Poreč, too. Buses run from Trieste in Italy, Zagreb and other main cities to Pazin in the centre of Istria, and most to Pula in the South. Ryanair provides a connection London (Stansted) to Pula three days a week, and Dublin Pula also. Scandjet connects Pula to Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm once a week (on Saturdays) during the summer. Germanwings also serves Pula. Trains run daily between Ljubljana in Slovenia and Pula, and from Rijeka to Ljubljana. Venezia Lines is a high speed ferry operator. Operating in the North Adriatic, Venezia Lines links the North Adriatic's coasts of Italy and Croatia. From May 2003 to October 2009, Venezia Lines has carried more than 450.000 passengers between Venice and the Northern Coast of Croatia. In the North Adriatic Venezia Lines is currently utilising 2 vessels, San Frangisk and her sister vessel San Pawl, both with a capacity of 310 passenger.

Tourist Sights in Istria

Brijuni (Brioni) Islands - private park of Tito including an international zoo, dinosaur footsteps and Roman and Byzantine ruins. Hill-top villages of Groznjan and Motovun, populated by artist

Attend a music or folklore show in the inimitable atmosphere of the Pula Arena. Motovun Film event Motovun, Istria Visit Groznjan and its jazz Festival.

Istrian Cuisine

Istria Wines and Drinks

Istria is a land of vineyards. Regional liquor grappa is widely produced in here, with several varieties available.



Other destinations in Istria: Beram, Brijuni, Groznjan, Hum, Limski kanal,


Vegetation

The coast and the islands are covered with pine woods and easily recognizable green macchia.

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