Istria is a triangular peninsula of the Adriatic, attached to the mainland by the northeast. Its area is 2,820 km2, its coastline, 242.5 km long, starting to the northwest with the Gulf of Trieste, between Italy and Croatia, following a straight line northwest / south, to Cape Town Kamenjak, in the far south of the peninsula. Poreč lies on this coast, southeast of Umag and Novigrad, north-west of Rovinj and Pula.
Pictures gallery
History
Poreč has been inhabited since prehistoric times, its first residents being the Illyrians. During the 2nd century ACN, a Roman camp is built on a small peninsula of 400 m by 200 m, where is the current downtown. In the 1st century, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, Poreč officially became a city part of a Roman colony, the "Colonia Iulia Parentium". From the 4th century, the city became a Christian community, with the construction of an oratory replaced in the 6th century by a euphrasian basilica dedicated to St. Maur de Parentium, the latter listed since 1997 on the World Heritage list of the UNESCO. Then, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantine Empire and the Franks succeed one another, before being incorporated in the Republic of Venice, in 1267. In the decline Venice, the French army imposes itself, before Istria, including the City of Poreč, did not become, in 1797, province of the former Austria-Hungary. In 1805, after the Austrians' defeat against Napoleon, Istria returned to the French Empire as an Illyrian Province, these including Croatia, Dalmatia and Slovenia. After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, the Congress of Vienna restored Austrian domination over the region, then in November 1918, Italian troops invaded the peninsula. By the Italo-Yugoslav Treaty of Rapallo, in 1920, Italy took possession of Istria, while Yugoslavia guarded the Dalmatian coast and Fiume (future Rijeka) became a free city, while the use of the language Croatian is prohibited, just as the Croatian surnames are transformed to Italian. During the Second World War, after the German invasion of Yugoslavia and the creation of independent Croatia, Italy kept Istria and occupied the entire Dalmatian coast. Capitulating in 1943, Istria was occupied by the Germans while Dalmatia returned to Croatia, the allies liberating Istria in May 1945, its inhabitants retaining the use of the Italian language, signboards being written in the two languages. Always to see in Poreč, its Marafor (1st century Romanesque sanctuary), its ramparts (12th and 16th century), its "Kanonika" (1251), its Romantic House (13th century), its Round Tower (15th century) and its North fort (built in Gothic style, 15th century).
A well-known tourist destination of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy in the 19th century, Poreč offers many culinary delights, such as "fuzi", typical Istrian pasta, usually served with a truffle and "prosciutto" sauce. Also its seafood "buzaras", made with white wine, garlic, olive oil and parsley; its langoustine stews in tomato sauce; sa "manestra", a soup consisting of a mixture of vegetables, namely potatoes, beans, corn, cabbage and fennel; not forgetting, for dessert, its "cukeranicici", traditional pastries offered, in most "konobas" (taverns), and restaurants, which one accompanies, willingly, of a Muscat, wine with the perfumed and the sweet bouquet, for optimal tasting.
Ideal destination for cycle tourism, all year round, thanks to the mild climate, Poreč is suitable for both professional athletes and lovers of nature and hiking, well-marked trails stretching along the coast than in the rural hinterland, in the Mediterranean forests, as well as in the old town, routes for cyclists are available. By bike, we can reach the cellars of Baredine or try our hand on the route of the 15th stage of the 8th "Giro d'Italia" which linked in 2004, Poreč to San Vendemiano (243 km), or take other routes such as the "St.-Michel", the "Euphrasien" or the "St.-Mauro". Of course, on the Adriatic, the practice of all water sports is possible from swimming to sailing, including kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, water skiing, ... In terms of its cultural life, Poreč is famous for the quality of its street art festivals, its classical music concerts, notably within the Euphrasian basilica, and its jazz festivals, such as those of "Valamar "or" Lapidarium ", without forgetting its reputation for the beauty of its folklore, its museums, its art galleries, ... Number of nightclubs and nightclubs available to its visitors.