Croatia Istria

The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its 1st-century amphitheatre, which is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world, and locally known as the Arena. This is one of the best-preserved amphitheatres from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals. During the World War II Italian fascist administration, there were attempts to disassemble the arena and move it to mainland Italy, which were quickly abandoned due to the costs involved.

Located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, it is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port. The Rovinj islands and mainland have been described as "outstanding scenic wonders," because of the pristine beauty of the indented coastline and its forests, consisting of holm oak and Alpine pine trees. This area "of outstanding natural beauty" extends from St. Ivan promontory to Barbariga, including all the Rovinj islands and the mainland 500 metres from the shore line. The Rovinj archipelago consists of 19 islands.

Poreč is almost 2,000 years old, and is set around a harborprotected from the sea by the small island of Saint Nicholas/San Nicolo (St. Nicholas). Its major landmark is the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Ever since the 1970s, the coast of Poreč has been the most visited tourist destination in Croatia.

Labin developed from the site of the Roman settlement of Albona. Before and under the Roman occupation, Albona was an important commune. On a marble tablet the Roman inscription we read that under the Emperor Marco Iulio Severo Filippo noble Caesar noble Prince made Albona a Republic. To be a republic it had to have two joined Magistrates called Duumviri and Public officers called Aediles which took care of Public buildings and other official duties.

Umag is a coastal city in Istria, Croatia. The city hosts a yearly ATP tennis tournament on clay courts. It is the westernmost city of Croatia, and the municipality includes Savudrija, the westernmost point of Croatia.

Situated on a peninsula, Novigrad has retained its medieval structure and layout, with narrow, winding streets and small shops. The fortifications belong to the medieval era: the town wall still stands with its battlements and tow round towers. There are examples of secular architecture from the time of the Venetian empire, such as the town loggia and several houses built inVenetian Gothic style. The present church was built in the 15th and 16th centuries on the foundations of the 8th-century basilica of Saint Pelagius that had a nave and two aisles. Under the present presbytery is a late Romanesque crypt. In the sacristy are 15th-century antiphonaries with beautiful simple initials.

Today Grožnjan is the meeting point of young musicians from all over the world because the International Cultural Centre of Young Musicians is seated here. Every year Grožnjan organizes music, orchestra, ballet, recital, directing, video and sound recording and reproduction courses, seminars for architects, panel discussions about environmental protection and yoga courses. The area offers good opportunities for walking, cycling, hunting and speleology. A restaurant in Grožnjan offers Istrian specialities. During summer months concerts and music events are held almost every day. At the end of summer, the international art ex tempore is held.

Motovun/Montona is a medieval town that grew up on the site of an ancient city called Castellieri. It is situated on a hill 270 metres (886 feet) above sea level with houses scattered all over the hill. On the inner walls are several coats-of-arms of different Motovun/Montona ruling families and two gravestones of Roman inhabitants (dating from the 1st century). Since 1999, Motovun has hosted the international Motovun Film Festival for independent and avant-garde films from the U.S. and Europe.

Medulin is a small town and municipality in the southern part of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Medulin's economy is based on tourism. During the months of July and August, its population increases to over 10,000 due an influx of tourists that come to visit Medulin, famous for its camping sites and its coastline.

Lovran is one of the oldest coastal settlements on the eastern shore of Istrian peninsula. By the early Middle Ages it was an important urban and shipbuilding center of northern Adriatic. The region is rich with cultural-historical heritage. A parish church with medieval frescoes and Glagolitic inscriptions, and the 14th century tower of St George's Square within the old urban core, as well as rural ambiances and architectural edifices – namely turn-of-the-century villas with surrounding parks, are general points of interest.

Long a small fishing port, Rabac has grown in recent years into a resort town with numerous villas and apartment buildings. The Rabac Festival is an annual electronic music festival that has been held there for many years; 3000 people attended in 2002. Regular music concerts are held at Rabac beach and in the hotels. Magic shows at night are prevalent as are comedians. Tourist expeditions to Venice, Dubrovnik and Krka are common and operate daily at 1 and 3 pm. Fishing tours are also common and cost about 100 kuna.

Fažana is a town and municipality on the western coast of Istria, in Croatia. Yugoslavia's former President, Marshal Josip Broz Tito, is reputed to have loved Fažana and the Brioni Islands, spending up to six months of his year there. Yugoslav President was reported to have joined local fisherman in their work during his stays in Fažana.