Destination

Istria

Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula.

The name derives from the prehistoric Illyrian people called Histris who lived here in Roman times. The Romans called Istria the Magic Land (Terra Magica). Through history, the region was ruled by the indigenous Histris, the Romans, the Goths and Lombards, the Franks, the Venetian Republic, the Habsburg Monarchy, Napoleon, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy and Yugoslavia. In 1991, Istria became a county within the independent Republic of Croatia.

Istria has about 208,000 inhabitants.

It is known for its natural beauty, its culture, the sports and other attractions such as the Brijuni National Park, the Roman amphitheatre Arena in Pula, the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, the nature park Učka, the Lim fjord, Hum – the smallest town in the world, the Baredine cave and many others.

The pleasant Mediterranean climate favours the cultivation of organic food, quality wines, olives and figs. Istria is also famous for one of the world’s most revered aphrodisiacs – the precious truffle mushroom, which is used to prepare many gourmet specialties.

Istria is the most important and most visited tourist region in Croatia.

Sveti Petar u Šumi

got its name after the Benedictine monastery, which appears in historical documents from 1174 with an unclear note on its 50 years of existence. Unlike other Istrian villages and towns where a settlement was built on a hilltop with a church and its tower, with the edges of the hill dotted with houses, at Sveti Petar u Šumi there were no houses around either the church or the monastery. Its inhabitants lived a bit further away, in scattered hamlets situated next to fields and vineyards, on the edges of karst plains filled with the red soil they cultivated, just the way it is today.

Legends have it that the Hungarian King Salomon (+ 1089) spent some time at Sveti Petar u Šumi after he had been dethroned in dynastic struggles. The monastery is also associated with the Istrian side of the Counts of Gorizia, who ruled in Pazin from the 13th to the 15th century and ordinarily helped the monastery, where they allegedly had family tombs.

From the times of the Benedictines there is only one Latin book preserved, written in Carolingian minuscule, from the end of the 11th or the beginning of the 12the century. The Fragment of Sveti Petar u Šumi, a stone found among the ruins of the monastery wall with Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabet inscribed on it, dates back to the same period and shows that all the three scripts were in use at the time.

ATTRACTIONS

PAZIN ABYSS -ZIP LINE

If you want to have a memory of an unforgettable experience from your holiday in Istria, then the zip line above the Pazin Abyss is just what you are looking for.
An opportunity to get to know the Pazin Abyss from above is certainly something you must take.
In any case, it is difficult to put the experience enabled by the zip line above the Pazin Abyss in words, so we recommend that you try it for yourself. We are expecting you!
More information at www.istriaexperience.com

Caving adventure Pazin

Pazin cave is a speleological object which is protected by law and it’s not arranged for tourist visits. Speleological Association “Istra” Pazin, in cooperation with the Public Institution “Natura Histrica” takes you into the underground of the Pazin Cave throughout the year depending on weather conditions and upon request. The visit is organized in a natural ecological way and it gives you a unique experience of the underground.

ISTRALANDIA

Istralandia is a water park nearby Novigrad with many attractions, such as a variety of pools, water slides, sport facilities, animation, restaurants and other services. Have fun! More information available at www.istralandia.hr

MOTODROM POREČ – KARTS RACETRACK

Motodrom Poreč – karting racetrack If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush – the best karting racetrack in Croatia is the place for you. It provides safe, “crazy” and exciting fun with a lot of additional facilities. It is open all year round. For additional information visit www.istra-kart.hr

BAREDINE CAVE

Baredine cave is the first speleological locality in Istria that is open for tourism – it is a geomorphologic monument of nature. In addition to the site, there is also an exhibition of antique tractors called “Tractor Story”. For more information visit www.baredine.com

MOTOVUNSKI FILM FESTIVAL

This film festival is dedicated to films from small studios and independent production houses; those films that break through with their innovation, ideas, and power of the stories they tell. It is a five-day-long film marathon showing films from 10 a.m. until 4 a.m., both in outdoor and indoor theatres. More information at www.motovunfilmfestival.com

VISNJAN OBSERVATORY

The Višnjan Observatory is situated in the direction of Višnjan. In the last 15 years it has become one of the world’s best-known places for discovery of small solar system bodies (more than 1,400 of them have been discovered here). Its reputation has grown due to the efforts of Mr. Korado Korlević, the most famous Croatian astronomer, who has been running it for years. You can find more information at www.astro.hr

BRIJUNI ARCHIPELAGO

The Brijuni Archipelago is today certainly one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Croatia. The paleontological findings of the dinosaurs, the magnificent “horrible reptiles” which ruled planet Earth for more tan 160 milion years (from Late Triassic period, about 220 milion years ago, to the end of the Cretaceous period 65 million years ago when they went extinct). They are undoubtedly one of the prime issues of the socalled scientific tourism.
More information at www.np-brijuni.hr

EVENTS CALENDAR

BEACHES IN ISTRIA

“Pets allowed” beaches in Istria

Amarin Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: rock/pebble
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: dogs can use the beach in designated areas only

Borik Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: rock/pebble
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: allowed, the southernmost part of the beach is reserved for dogs; there is a dog restricted area near the parking area

Kuvi Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: pebble/rocky/paved
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: dogs are allowed, but there is a dog restricted area on the eastern side of the beach

Villas Rubin Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: rocky/gravel
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: dogs can use the beach in designated areas only

Polari Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: pebble with a few rocky patches
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: dogs can use the beach in designated areas only

Vestar Beach, Rovinj

Beach Type: sand and fine pebble, partly rocky
Destination: Rovinj
Dogs: dogs can use the beach in designated areas only

Kras Beach

Beach type: pebbly and rocky beach
Destination: between Romana Beach and Tarska Cove
Dogs: allowed on a special part of the beach

Beaches in Tarska Cove

Beach type: pebbly and rocky beach
Destination: Tarska Cove in the easternmost part of the campsite
Dogs: allowed on designated areas on the beach

Camping Mon Perin Beach

Beach type: pebbly and rocky, with a small area of the beach for naturists
Destination: alongside the San Polo and Colone zones
Dogs: allowed in specially marked areas of the beach

Family beaches in Istria

Beach Lone Bay, Rovinj

Beach type: fine gravel beach
Destination: Rovinj
Recommended for: families with children, older people, fun & sports

Beach Sol Polynesia, Katoro, Umag

Beach type: nudist beach, concrete beach, Blue Flag beach
Destination: Umag, Katoro
Recommended for: adventure, older people, families with children

Beach Ambrela, Verudela, Pula

Beach type: stone
Destination: Pula, Verudela
Recommended for: families with children

Beach Cape Kamenjak, Premantura, Medulin

Beach type: sandy beach, natural beach, rocky beach
Destination: Medulin, Premantura
Recommended for: adventure, fun & sports, romantic couples, families with children

Beach AC Zelena Laguna, Porec

Beach type: Blue Flag beach, concrete beach
Destination: Porec, Zelena Laguna
Recommended for: fun & sports, romantic couples, families with children

FKK Nudist beaches in Istria

Beach Koversada, Vrsar

Beach type: concrete beach, sandy beach, Blue Flag beach, nudist beach
Destination: Vrsar
Recommended for: fun & sports, romantic couples, families with children

Beach Valalta, Rovinj

Beach type: nudist beach, sandy beach, fine gravel beach
Destination: Rovinj, Rovinjsko selo
Recommended for: families with children, fun & sports, romantic couples, older people

Beach St. Andrew Island (Red Island), Rovinj

Beach type: natural beach, Blue Flag beach, gravel beach, nudist beach
Destination: Rovinj
Recommended for: young people, romantic couples, older people, fun & sports, families with children

Beach Bay Guštinja, Rovinj

Beach type: nudist beach, gravel beach, rocky beach
Destination: Rovinj
Recommended for: romantic couples, families with small children

Beach FKK AC Ulika, Porec

Beach type: natural beach, concrete beach, Blue Flag beach
Destination: Porec
Recommended for: older people, romantic couples, fun & sports, families with children

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

International dialling prefiy for Croatia: +385 (0)

For all emergency situations: +385 112

Ambulace / first aid: +385 194
Fire brigade: +385 193
Police: +385 192
Police station in Pazin: +385 52 538 139

Informations: +385 11981

Weather forecast and road conditions: +385 060 520 520
Informations about International telephone numbers: +385 11802
Informationa about local and long distance phone numbers: +385 11888
Road traffic assistance (HAK): +385 01 4640 800; +385 1987
HAK Pazin: +385(0)52 624 425

HEALTH CARE

Boris Radolović
emergency medicine
Jurja Dobrile 1, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 624 393
Working hours:
Mon, Wed, Fri: 07:00 – 14:30
Tue, Thu: 13:00 – 20:30

Health service – Information for tourists (pdf leaflet)

PHARMACIES

Pharmacy Radoš Pazin
Ulica 25. rujna 42, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 624 046
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 07:30 – 15:00
Sunday: closed

Pharmacy Pazin Šetalište
Šetalište Pazinske gimnazije 4, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 624 185
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 07:30 – 20:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 13:00

VETERINARY STATIONS

Veterinary ambulance Pazin
Dubravica 5, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 624 410
gsm: +385(0)91 253 9457
Working hours:
Monday to Saturday: 07:00 – 15:00; 17:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 08:00 – 09:00, emergency services 0-24

Veterinary ambulance for small animals “Benčić”
Ul. Istarskih narodnjaka 24, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 621 921
gsm: +385(0)99 311 6883 (Ivan)
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 11:00 – 13:00; 17:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00

EXCHANGE

FINA
25. rujna 17, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 619 300
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 18:30
Saturday: 08:00 – 12:00

CONTINEO
Trg Male Funtane 7, Pazin
tel. +385 (0)52 621 045
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 – 17:00
Saturday: 8:30 – 12:30

Post office HP Pazin
M. B. Rašana 7A, Pazin
tel.: +385(0)52 622 158
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 07:00 – 13:00

GAS STATIONS

INA
Miroslava Bulešića 1A, Pazin
tel. +385(0)91 497 1121
Open: 06:00 – 22:00

Etradex
Stancija Pataj 45b, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 616 069
Open: 0 – 24

Petrol
Istarskih narodnjaka 25, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 416 731
Open: 06:00 – 23:00

CAR REPAIR SERVICE

PAJCA d.o.o.
Industrijska ulica 33, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 688 161
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 07:30 – 16:30
Saturday: 08:30 – 13:00

DRNDE d.o.o. (+ townig service)
Štefanije Ravnić 15, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 621 313, (0)98 368 542
Working hours:
Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00

HAK – Autoklub Pazin (+ towing service)
Družbe Sv. Ćirila i Metoda 3, Pazin
tel. +385 (0)52 624 424
Working hours:
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 07:00 – 15:00
Tuesday: 07:00 – 15:00

AUTO GOJTANIĆ (+ towing service)
Lindarski križ 99b, Pazin
tel. +385(0)52 640 064
Working hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 08:30 – 17:00