Rovinj, Croatia

St. Euphimius Cathedral

The main church of the city stands on its highest point. The three-aisled cathedral was built in the middle of the 18th century and was named after the patroness of Rovinj, Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr. A statue of the saint, which serves as a weather vane, is mounted on the belfry spire, which copies the belfry of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The saint’s relics are kept in a Roman sarcophagus behind the altar. On Saint Euphemia’s Day, September 16, crowds of pilgrims gather at the sarcophagus to worship the saint’s remains. The building is constructed in the Baroque style and looks modest; inside, there are Gothic statues of saints and old paintings depicting biblical scenes.

Franciscan Monastery

Innovative for its time technologies were used in the construction of this 18th-century monastery. The monastery was built on a rocky hill, and in order to carve out a cistern for collecting rainwater right there, the builders used explosives. Like most of Rovinj’s historic buildings, the Franciscan monastery has been turned into a museum. Among the priceless exhibits are about 8,000 books from the monastery’s library dating back to the 16th-18th centuries, as well as paintings on religious themes and statues of saints. The monastery building is also used as a concert hall-organ music evenings are held here.

Balbi Arch

Bau Babi - a significant landmark of the old Rovinj, built in the 17th century on the site of the former city gates. It rises at the entrance to the Venetian quarter, located near Tito Square. The structure draws attention with its skillful decoration. On its outer side, there is a stone sculpture of a Turk’s head, and on the inner wall - the head of a Venetian. The arch is topped with the coat of arms of the Babi family and a sculpted relief image of the winged lion, which is a symbol of Venice. It fits perfectly into the architectural ensemble of the surrounding buildings, reflecting a combination of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassicism.

Chapel of the Holy Trinity

The Chapel of the Holy Trinity is considered the main historic building in Rovinje in the Romanesque architectural style. It is a small seven-sided building that has survived in almost its original form. Today, the chapel houses an art gallery. Here you can see works by local artists. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity is a popular place among both locals and tourists.

Rovinj Promenade

The Rovinij Waterfront is one of the local attractions. It is lined with beautiful historic buildings that combine features of classicism, the Renaissance, Baroque, and the Middle Ages. The waterfront is crowded with little shops and souvenir stalls, which are extremely popular with tourists. By stopping by one of the cozy restaurants, you can sample exquisite traditional dishes made with fresh seafood. Particularly noteworthy is the floating market located along the shore-here you can buy anything you like. For this reason, Rovinj is also called “Croatian Venice.” From the waterfront, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea, which serves as an ideal backdrop for taking photos.

Kaliffi Palace - City Museum

This modest baroque manor in the XVII-XVIII centuries served as the residence of the wealthy and illustrious princely family of Kaliffi. In the middle of the last century, at the initiative of local artists, the palace was turned into a city museum. The museum houses one and a half thousand works by old masters and contemporary artists, as well as a collection of sculptures, archaeological finds, national costumes, ship models, and everything that offers an insight into how Rovinj lived and developed. But you can’t see it all at once-the museum lacks the space to display all its treasures.

Old Town

Rovinj’s Old Town looks more like a fairy-tale kingdom than an ordinary city. The houses in the Old Town are built in a Mediterranean style and painted in a variety of bright colors. Many of these houses are several hundred years old. In 1963, Rovinj was declared a cultural monument for its rich history. The Old Town was once surrounded by city walls, which were reinforced with towers. The walls had seven gates, but only three have survived to this day-the Arched Gates, the Portico, and the Gate of Saint Benedict. In this part of Rovinj, you can find a large number of historical sights. This city can be called a museum, with streets that carry the history of centuries.

Diesel engine

Dvigrad is the only ancient Croatian town that was not destroyed by wars or natural disasters, but simply failed to survive the plague epidemic. In this ancient city near Rovinj, time has stood still for 300 years, when Dvigrad was finally abandoned. Here, massive city gates and watchtowers have been well preserved. Beyond the half-ruined fortification walls, overgrown with weeds, lie the remains of nearly two hundred medieval residential houses, chosen by lizards, and remnants of gravestones.

City beaches

Thanks to the long coastline, the many islands and reefs, in every part of the city within walking distance there is a well-equipped beach. Kuvi Beach is located a few kilometers from the city center. The beach is separated from the road by a forest, and centuries-old pines grow right by the water. The beach is mostly rocky, but there is also a pebbly section intended for family holidays. Lone Beach is a 15-minute walk from the city center. Fine gravel is convenient for families with children. There are bars on the beach with refreshing drinks. Adjacent to Lone is the pebbly Golden Bay Beach, next to which there is a restaurant. To Balsamak Beach there are just half an hour’s walk from the center of Rovinj. The place is ideal for sunbathing thanks to a scattering of large flat stones.

Aquarium

The oldest museum in Rovinj, the local aquarium, opened back in 1891, and over the past 120 years representatives of virtually all species of Adriatic Sea fauna have made it their home. In the aquarium’s tanks, the Adriatic’s inhabitants swim peacefully-species familiar to divers who have dived along the Croatian coast. These include colorful anemones, scorpionfish, hermit crabs, huge blue eels, sea chubs, and rays. All of them live in conditions close to natural-with pebbles, shells, and algae.

Crveni Otok Island

Red Island - a unique little spot with an interesting history, a true gem of the Adriatic Sea. You can get here by water taxi from Rovinj in about 15 minutes. On this amazing island, which consists of two parts - the islands of St. Andrew and Maskin, you can see several wonderful pebbly and rocky beaches. The island’s beaches are rocky and pebbly, surrounded by lush pine forests, with small, cozy coves. There are many sports facilities on the island; you can also rent sailing and motor boats here.

Rovinj - the Pearl of Istria

The founders of Rovinj were the Romans. The city was called Castrum Rubinum and was located on an island separated from the mainland by a small strait. The 17th century was marked by rapid population growth. At that time, residents began settling beyond the island, on the mainland. In the mid-18th century, the strait was filled in. The coast of Rovinj is surrounded by 22 islands located very close to the mainland. The city’s main attraction is the Catholic church of Saint Euphemia, built in the 18th century. The city is incredibly beautiful, and a tour of its sights will leave an unforgettable impression.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking the cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.