Istria
History:
Previously part of the Venetian kingdom this region has seen many empires such as Byzantine, Roman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslavian (Communist). The cultural legacy of Istria is thus very rich.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the inner territory remained a feudal region occupied by Slavs, Byzantines and finally Austrian Habsburgs, at the same time as the shore fell under rule of the Republic of Venice in the 13th century. Intermittent
Since 1797, the Croatian people of Istria fought for autonomy and were harshly oppressed both by Austrians and Fascist Italy (after World War I), in the end ending with retribution from Yugoslav partisans after the World War II, forcing most ethnic Italians to leave. A small ethnic Italian community still lives in the coastal towns. Relatively spared from the Yugoslav Wars,
Istria is now a booming region. Latter years have seen a growing regional attitude and a reconciliation with its previously conflictive Italian identity.
How to travel to Istria
Pula is the central transportation hub for Istria so most people will arrive there if they are not driving. Some boat lines arrive to Poreč, too. Buses run from Trieste in Italy, Zagreb and other major cities to Pula in the South. Ryanair provides a connection London (Stansted) to Pula three times a week, and Dublin Pula also. Scandjet connects Pula to Oslo and Stockholm once a week (on Saturdays) during the summer. Germanwings also serves Pula. Trains run daily between Ljubljana in Slovenia and Pula, and from Rijeka to Ljubljana. Venezia Lines is a high speed ferryboat operator that operated its first trip in May 2003. Operating in the North Adriatic, Venezia Lines links the North Adriatic's coasts of Italy and Croatia. In the North Adriatic Venezia Lines is at present utilising 2 vessels, San Frangisk and her sister vessel San Pawl, both with a capacity of 310 passenger.
Tourist Sights in Istria
The old Venetian town of
Rovinj. St Euphrasius Basilica in Poreč. Brijuni (Brioni) Islands - personal recreational area of General Tito as well as an international zoo, dinosaur footprints and Roman and Byzantine ruins.
