Our next stop after Pula in Croatia was Rovinj. The 3rd century town looks stunning from a distance. It sits on a headland off the coast of the Istrian Peninsular. The majestic church of St Euphemia with its towering steeple keeps watch from the highest part of the town.
Rovinj has had a chequered past. It was a settlement of Illyrian tribes before being captured by Romans. The town’s rule changed many times before becoming part of the Austrian Empire before WWI. It then belonged to the Kingdom of Italy from 1918-1947 when it was ceded to SFR Yugoslavia, as part of SF Croatia. The name Rovigno was changed to Rovinj. After WWII many Italians left the town.
The town was an island until 1763 when the channel that separated it from the mainland was filled in.
The headland is not very big and there is a car park well situated at the edge of town. From there it is just a short walk to the centre. Our very nice accommodation, Zig Zag Apartment was close to the car park.
The port area is delightful and there are lots of cafes and restaurants to choose from. The square beside the water has a 12th century tower which has been added to many times. The clock with its Venetian lion dates from the mid 19th century.
I particularly liked the little fisherman fountain. It is not particularly old. It was erected in 1959 to celebrate the final arrival of the government funded water system.
We wandered around the harbour before heading through one of the old gates to the town up the snaggle of narrow cobble stone streets to St Euphemia.
The Baroque church was built in 1736 over the remains of older early Christian structures. The current facade dates from 1883.
The bell tower resembles the tower of St Mark’s in Venice and was built between 1754-1680.
St Euphemia serves as a weather vane on top of the 60 metre tower.
The interior is elegant and boasts a statue of St George and the dragon and the new Saint Theresa.
We stopped for lunch on the way back down the hill where we had some delicious local salami and cheese with truffles.
We took a boat trip around the coast. There are lots of tiny islands scattered along the coastline…what a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Rovinj looks stunning from any angle.
The coastline is rugged, beautiful and the sea is sparking blue. There were even a couple of early sunbathers.
Later in the evening we walked around the edge of town and found some more lovely streets, old entrances and sunbathing platforms.
We discovered a gorgeous restaurant with views over the rocky edge. I can imagine that the area is packed with people in summer.
The food and the views were excellent.
There was a gorgeous sunset.
It was raining as we left Rovinj, but it looked beautiful even when wet.
Rovinj is a stunning place.
[…] via Rovinj, Croatia — Bagni di Lucca and Beyond […]
By: 🌍🌎🌎🌐🗺 | Site Title on April 10, 2017
at 8:11 pm
WOW WOW WOW IS ALL ICAN SAY. GEORGE
By: Anonymous on April 10, 2017
at 8:13 pm
Rovinj is lovely, you must visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:37 am
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL
By: GEORGE MIORI on April 10, 2017
at 8:14 pm
such a nice town
By: simonjkyte on April 10, 2017
at 8:28 pm
It is very pretty. I can imagine that it is popular in summer.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:38 am
I went in December about 15 years ago
By: simonjkyte on April 11, 2017
at 7:59 am
What a beautiful place.
By: janetknight57 on April 10, 2017
at 8:33 pm
The town is stunning. Even early in the season there were plenty of people there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:40 am
What a fascinating, if turbulent, history and what a lovely place. Is that far from Pula? I must say your meals did look really good – I admire your dogged dedication to research:)
By: Jan on April 10, 2017
at 9:04 pm
It is only a 40 minute drive from Pula. The food was excellent.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:41 am
A wonderful place!
By: Mulino Dominillo on April 10, 2017
at 9:23 pm
It is a beautiful town. We delighted to spend some time there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:45 am
What a great part of the world. I loved Croatia but didn’t go to Rovinj Thanks for such a great post- wish I had visited there too.
By: Dianne Cant on April 10, 2017
at 9:30 pm
Next time you visit Croatia you should include Rovinj.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:45 am
This looks like a beautiful town Debra. I would love to go to Croatia. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews so interested in hearing where else you went and what you thought.
By: thirdeyemom on April 10, 2017
at 9:38 pm
We only went to Pula and Rovinj on this trip we will go further south next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:46 am
Will wait to read about it when you do!
By: thirdeyemom on April 11, 2017
at 4:31 pm
Can you ever sit still Debra ?
By: Richard the terrible on April 10, 2017
at 11:29 pm
Do you think I should?
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:46 am
And so colourful – i don’t know why but I don’t think of colour when i think of croatia.
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on April 10, 2017
at 11:38 pm
I didn’t really know what to expect. Rovinj is lovely and quite busy early in the season.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:47 am
I would never know these places existed without your blog. Thanks.
By: Coral Waight on April 11, 2017
at 12:32 am
We are now on Elba…another great place.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 5:48 am
Rovinj looks a lovely place – thanks for the v ritual walk around, much appreciated!
By: Sue on April 11, 2017
at 7:48 am
That was meant to say virtual….
By: Sue on April 11, 2017
at 7:49 am
I got that. Don’t you hate spellcheck sometimes?
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 8:48 pm
Well, this time it was my clumsy fingers!
By: Sue on April 11, 2017
at 8:58 pm
How beautiful this place is!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Love from https://tbymallano.com/
By: tbymallano on April 11, 2017
at 8:54 am
It is a lovely town, we enjoyed our stay there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 8:50 pm
It seems so Italian!
By: Stacy di Anna Pollard on April 11, 2017
at 12:40 pm
It was Italian for some time.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2017
at 8:50 pm
That is just stunning! It reminds me of Italy in some of the photos.
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on April 12, 2017
at 1:01 pm
It was part of Italy for some time so that is understandable.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 12, 2017
at 2:02 pm
Now that looks like a great place to visit! How do you pronounce Rovinj?
By: sheilasunshine on April 12, 2017
at 3:20 pm
When it was Italian it was Rovigno, so I’m sticking with that.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 12, 2017
at 3:47 pm
It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go. Thank you for making it look so beautiful. 🙂 🙂
By: restlessjo on April 26, 2017
at 10:03 pm
Such an interesting and very beautiful place. Rovinj does have that Italian feel about it. Your photos are wonderful.
Cheers
Robyn
By: italia4ever on June 10, 2017
at 10:17 pm
[…] We also drove to Croatia and stayed beside the sea in Rovinj. […]
By: A new year begins | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 1, 2018
at 8:18 am