One of Croatia’s most beautiful cities, Rovinj sits picturesquely upon a rock promontory, on the western side of the Istrian Peninsula. The Istrian town is regarded as one of the most romantic Croatian travel destinations. Rovinj delights the guests with its architecture and atmosphere. The old town core of Rovinj is situated on an elevation dominated by Baroque the Church of St. Euphemia.
On the edge of the main-square and of the harbor, the houses of the old parts of the city – intersected by the winding, cobble-stoned narrow streets and alley-ways – form a semi-circle around the hill on which Saint Euphemia’s basilica is located. This church is the city’s most famous tourist attraction.
Built in the Baroque style in the 17th century, its bell-tower, from which one can see the entire city, was modeled on that of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The coffin of the city’s patron saint, St. Euphemy, who died a martyr, lies in the sanctuary of the church.
The most spectacular part of this magnificent baroque building is a 60-meter -high tower with a bronze statue of St. Euphemia on top of it. The statue is 4.70 meters high, it revolves around the axis and its right hand shows the direction of the wind. Because of the legends and stories associated with St. Euphemia, you can find people praying for fortune, love and health to this town guardian any time of the day and in every season.
The city’s Baroque style Town Hall dates from the 17th century. Next to its monuments, the city’s most fascinating tourist attraction is the Rovinj Aquarium, which introduces the viewer to the colorful life-forms in the sea; it is considered to be the city’s oldest museum.
The town has numerous cultural and historical monuments attracting numerous tourists year after year. The highlights among them include the latest one – the House on Batana, the first eco-museum dedicated to the batana, a traditional vessel of Rovinj’s fishermen.
Throughout the year, Rovinj puts on numerous entertaining, cultural and sporting events providing the guests with artistic pleasure, entertainment and access to the tradition and customs of the town and the region.
The beaches at Rovinj and its neighborhood are mostly rocky and covered with shingles.