Istria is an exceptional part of Croatia in several ways. Here you will find many natural beauties that will take your breath away, but also a lot of interesting things that you might not even know about.
For example, if you want to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from the bell tower of St. Pelagia in Novigrad, you have to prepare yourself to climb exactly 117 steps. The city of Buje and its surroundings are characterized by almost two and a half thousand hours of sunshine throughout the year. Church of St. The Servula found here boasts a unique sounding organ. Some consider it the most sonorous organ in Istria. Oak that grew in the area of the Mirna river valley was used to build Venice. Near the village of Marušići, there is an interesting park Forma Viva, which is decorated with about forty sculptures located in the natural landscape. The attractive sea route between Savudrija and Umag is rich in archaeological sites and localities located around three capes - Kator, Sipra and Tiola. And that is far from all. In 1177, an important naval battle took place in the waters around Savudrija between the Venetians and a fleet led by Emperor Barbarossa's son Otto. According to legend, after the defeat, he tried to escape and hide in a cistern. The name of the place thus comes from the combination "Salvo re", which means "saved king".
Northwest Istria is a popular destination for horseback riding. This part represents the largest area covered with greenery in the northern part of the Adriatic. The old centers of Umag and Novigrad are located on irresistible peninsulas that were once small islands. Over time, they were united by the land on which today's cities arose. The fact that Novigrad is a small town with a really long tourist tradition is evidenced by the fact that this magical place on the coast of northwestern Istria received its first tourist guide as early as 1845.
What about teas and wine? Jola Farm, located near Savudrije, offers tea made from olive leaves. This bitter-tasting green tea has a proven positive effect on the human body. And the Santa Lucia 2008 wine, from the Istrian Malvazija variety, was once declared the best wine in Croatia. The vineyard it comes from is only located in one location in Momjan. It is considered one of the best locations in Istria for wine production.
And one more thing... Inland we find the mystical city of Motovun. But to get to it, you have to walk the longest staircase in Istria, which consists of 1052 steps.