St. Andrew Island - Red Island Rovinj

St. Andrew Island - Red Island Rovinj. The St. Katharina and St. Andrew Islands (Red Island) are just off the coast from the old town of Rovinj. Both islands are free of cars so you can enjoy the peace and quiet, and explore the beauty of this beautiful island. St. Catherine is smaller of the two, and is closer to the shore. It takes only 5 minutes by boat to reach. The boat runs every half an hour during peak season.

St.Catherine has beautiful gardens and parks, with more than 450 different plants. The beaches are mostly stony. The only hotel on the island is the Hotel Katarina. The hotel is housed in a former mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. It offers a magnificent view of the old town.

The archipelago of Saint-André is the largest island of Rovinj. A short 15 minute boat trip is beautiful and offers a magnificent view of the old town and the Golden Cape old forest. St. Andrew also known as the Red Island, it actually consists of two islands. The largest of San Andres and small island Maskin. The two are connected by a bridge. The island has historic buildings such as the mausoleum of the Huetterott family never finished, ancient church and a monastery that now houses the chic Lanterna restaurant where you can enjoy specialties at affordable prices.

The island vegetation is rich with over 180 different plants. There is only one hotel in Red Island. The Hotel Istra is a 4 star hotel with 326 rooms in the main building and 34 large suites in the adjoining building.

Visiting St. Andrew Island - Red Island and the island of St. Catherine is a great way to do a day and one of the best things to do in Rovinj. The view of the sea on the old town is unbelievable.

Zlatni rt Rovinj - Golden Cape

Zlatni rt Rovinj. The Zlatni rt (Golden Cape) Forest Park is the largest park on the north-eastern Adriatic. This is the oldest protected area of Istria, with great botanical value. It is inevitable to enjoy a walk or bike ride in the nature and easily accessible its destination. It is located in the south, just a 15 minute walk from the town center. Everyone who loves rock climbing will sure enjoy the rocks in Golden Cape. There are also nice beach places suitable for children and families. If you continue your walk by the sea to the south, right next to the Zlatni rt Rovinj Forest Park, you can enjoy the Škaraba Forest Park. This is an area of the aesthetic value of the unique landscape and represents a continuation of the forest Zlatni rt-Punta Corrente Park. The forest Park is rich in native plants. Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and pine (Pinus pinea). The meadows are surrounded by Douglas fir trees and lonely exotic cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens var.pyramidalis). In addition to a variety of pines, such as the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and the Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia), there is a dense undergrowth of oaks (Quercus ilex) and other Mediterranean shrubs.

Nature Conservation Wonder

In addition to Dubrovnik Trsteno Park, "Zlatni rt Rovinj" is the largest on the Croatian side of the Adriatic.

In addition to thousands of native and domesticated plants, such as oak forest and alpine pines, the deep shadows of the old park are also created by many foreign plants such as cedar, pine and some ten species cypresses that contribute to the Mediterranean atmosphere of the park.

Golden Cape Forest Park is a popular destination for many sports and recreational wildlife lovers. Traveling on the sea and the beach begin, recently renovated, or in the shadow of the main road through the park in the middle of the woods.

Rovinj Islands

Rovinj Islands. Rovinj archipelago consists of twenty islands, St. Andrija and St. Katarina is the largest and includes tourist facilities. Natural views, including Rovinj and the coastal forests islands were described as "outstanding wonders of nature". This area of "exceptional natural beauty" stretches from St. Ivan to city Barbariga. St. Andrija Island, also known as the Red Island and St. Katarina Island with the local ferry from the quay opposite the central Marshal Tito. The two islands as well as tourist facilities have many attractions such as the castle of Hütterott (formerly a monastery), the mausoleum of Baron Hütterott on the neighboring island of Maskin, connected to the island of St. Andrija by a path or prehistoric building in St. Katarina First inhabited place in the region Rovinj.

Rovinj Old Town

The old town is where life in Rovinj began in what was once a safe island, made by medieval city wall. The city had seven gates, three of which have survived until today: The door de San Benito, La Portica and door of the Holy Cross. The first archaeological traces of life date of the Bronze Age and the ancient city began to grow in the third century. Limited space on the island in th reason why there are narrow houses, narrow streets and small squares. It is a unique place to visit.

The largest monument in the city is the church of Santa Eufemia a Venetian baroque building restored between 1725 and 1736. The tower is (designed by the Milanese architect Alessandro Monopola) is replica of the church of San Marco in Venice. Construction of the tower began in 1651 and lasted for 26 years. On the tower there is a statue of the largest copper of St. Euphemia set in 1758 after the wooden statue was destroyed by a lightning bolt. There is a nice view of the accessible tower from inside the church.

The clock of the city and a small fountain on the main square of the city. The tower of the clock of the city once stood in the southeast corner of the old city wall. Built in the twelfth century, the tower was expanded several times. The city clock with its Venetian lion, the symbol of the Serenissima back in the middle of the 19th century, stood the fortress at the gate of the city near the Palace Califfi.

Rovinj was one of the most important cities in Istria

Rovinj was already a settlement of Illyrian before being captured by the Romans. Roman called it Arupinium or Mons Rubineus and later Ruginium and Ruvinium. The old city was build on an island near the coast, and in 1763 the island was connected to the mainland by filling the canal.

It is part of the Byzantine Empire, then in the 6. st the Exarchat of Ravenna and from the year 788 it was under the Franconian empire. Then for more centuries it was under the rule of different feudal lords. Since 1209 Aquileo Patriarch ruled.

From 1283-1797 Rovinj was one of the most important cities in Istria under the Republic of Venice. The city was fortified by two rows of walls with three gates of the city. The walls which can be seen today come from that period. Near the ferry, you can find the door of the ancient city of Arc Balbi dating from 1680, and a round later Renaissance clock.

After the fall of Venice and the Napoleonic Intermezzo, Rovinj was part of the Austrian Empire until the First World War. After the WWI it then belonged to Italy (1918-1947), when it was sold in the Croatia Republic in the SFR Yugoslavia.

Baron Guatsch - Adriatic Titanic

Known as the Titanic of the Adriatic, the passenger ship Guatsch Baron was sunken from a  mine laid by the Habsburgs  Navy in Istria at the beginning of the First World War. Nearly 150 passengers and crew members were killed and the ship sank to a depth of 35 meters. The wreck discovered in 1958, now offers divers one of the most fascinating places in Europe, known for excursions from Rovinj. Based on the Hotel Istra Crveni Otok, the Diving Center Diving Puffer provides trips to the old ship, as well as diving  courses for beginners and children.

Take a boat trip on the Red Island

Right on the coast of Rovinj, Crveni Otok ("Red Island") is a convenient and easy escape from the crowd with a boat leaving every hour of the port town. Crveni Otok actually consists of two islands in one, St. Andreas and Maskin. The largest of San Andrés was where Benedictine later reopened a church in the sixth century rebuilt by the Franciscans 900 years ago. After Napoleon's hunt, the island was practically built until the family left home Hutterotts Habsburg and surrounded by hundreds of plants and trees from around the world. The mausoleum of the family can also be visited. Most come here to get secluded beaches, but backdropped, from fragrant pine trees and clear water right around Rovinj. Despite this boat getting crowded it's easy to find your own for space, far from summer crowds.

Rovinj Heritage Museum

Founded by a group of local artists in 1954, Rovinj Heritage Museum (visit : www.muzej-rovinj.hr) contains the first collection of Italian art of Istria from the year 1400. The jewel of the Renaissance great Venetian Giovanni Bellini and school Boni Pitati share The square on the second floor with Baroque painters such as Nicolò Grassi, Antonio Zanchi and Marco Ricci. Aslo you can see  Croatian art of the late 20th century, and there is also a section devoted to artists of the same time Rovinj - some of which have contributed to create this museum.

Reasons to visit Croatia Rovinj

Romantic, baby !

There are places that you just need to see in your life, and for us Rovinj is one of those places. The only way to understand is to learn. The old town is reminiscent of nostalgia, and it is very romantic. You have a lot of photographic moment as you explore.

Cosmopolitan atmosphere

While the old town is romantic and gives an immediate sense of Dolce Vita, Rovinj Hotels are modern and cosmopolitan.

The first class hotel design experience Lone, Monte Mulini luxury and art scene in the Adriatic hotel. Seriously, these hotels are worth a visit in the city. We recommend visiting the city, but never for its hotels.

Charming restaurants

Of all coastal cities of Istria, Rovinj is the best choice of restaurants. Not only they prepare delicious food, but provide a beautiful background. If you enjoy the Monte sublime cuisine, eating alfresco to try and enjoy a magnificent view in Puntulina, feel like a king in the Lanterna Castle or enjoy the tasty creations of Barba Danilo you just can't go wrong with restaurants in Rovinj.

The Beaches

OK, non miles long sandy beach can be found here. But if you are looking for, you would not go to Croatia. Am I right ?

Rovinj has a wonderful rocky beaches and gravel; South of the famous beach in the Lone Bay, on the beaches of Cap d'Forest Gold of Punta Eva, all the way Bale to the neighboring, you can enjoy many beautiful beaches.

The Best Time To Visit Croatia Rovinj

Beside of course summer the best time to visit Rovinj is spring, autumn, early and late summer. Rovinj is romantic and pleasant at any time of the year. But winter can be quite rainy, cold and lack of activity. The summer is hot, busy and crowded. For me is the ideal time for a visit in September. There are a lot less people, the sea is still warm, the property prices are cheaper.

Rovinj - one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia

Rovinj in Istria is one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia. Travelers  who come to Rovinj once are not able to forget this wonderful city and usually they often return. The charm of Rovinj attracts many generations of visitors and sure leaves wonderful memories.

Rovinj is situated on the west side of the peninsula Istria, Lim Fjord to the north, the town of Valle (Bale) to the south. It has a very robust archipelago of 14 islands and 6 cliffs.

The most popular islands near Rovinj are St. Andrew (Red Island) and Santa Catherine on the peninsula of Rovinj, on which is located the historical center. On both islands there are hotels that are: Hotel Istra on the island of San Andrew  &  Hotel Katarina on the island of Santa Catherine.

Rovinj is the most visited tourist destination in Croatia. For several years in a row, Rovinj holds a record of 3,000,000 nights during the summer season.  Also You can enjoy a wide range of accommodation, including private houses, hotels, resorts, campsites and Valalta Naturist Camp.

The beaches of Rovinj are typical beaches  of the north coast of the Adriatic. Heads and rocky bays of sand and pebbles alternate along 67 km off the coast of Rovinj.

Punta Corrente Forest Park (Golden Cape), in the southern part of the city will surely inspire you. Walking, running, cycling and swimming at Centennial Park is a unique experience. The park entrance is next to Hotel Eden, Lone and Monte Mulini.