Vrsar - a picturesque corner of Istria

Vrsar is a small but very charming town on the west coast of Istria, about 5 km from the Leipzig Canal, situated between Porec and Rovinj. This place is off the beaten track of Istria, but its picturesque landscape attracts tourists seeking relaxation and sea bathing.

The town of Vrsar is divided into two parts: on the hill there is a historic and historical quarter, and on the coast - a modern one with a marina. The history of settlement in this corner of Istria goes back to prehistory. The Illyrians lived on the hill above the port. In the 4th century, there was a Christian community here, and after the fall of the Roman Empire , Vrsar came under the rule of the Goths.

In 538 the settlement was annexed to the Byzantine Empire. Later this land was ruled by the Lombards and Franconia. Between the eighth and eighteenth centuries, the bishops of Poreč took care of the area of Vrsar. Around the 12th century, the town was surrounded by walls, inside which a castle was built. It is now the oldest part of Vrsar.

Romantic streets and unusual monuments

Vrsar is a city with a rich past. When visiting this picturesque place, it is worth taking a stroll through the beautiful old town. Walking towards the market square, we can visit historic churches and the bishop's palace built in the 12th century.

In the highest part of the city, there is the 19th-century church of St. Martin with the belfry, where you can see an unusual exhibition of old church bells. There is also the 18th-century Foska church and the oldest building in the city - the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary . On the hill, we can also see the remains of the city walls with a 12th-century gate, on which there is a stone Venetian lion with a closed book, symbolizing the war with the Venetian republic.

The old town, or the center of Vrsar, is small, it occupies only a part of the slope and the top of the hill above the harbor bay. Through the Old Gate in the eastern part of the city, we will get to R. Konara Street, where we can admire the magnificent Renaissance-Baroque church of St. Anthony from the second half of the 17th century.

Near Vrsar there is an abandoned quarry where the summer school of sculpture ( Montrakera ) is organized every year . In addition, in the city itself, it is also worth seeing the sculpture park of Dušan Džamonje, the greatest contemporary Croatian and European sculptor.

Blue Flag and delicacies on the plate

The beaches in Vrsar have the "Blue Flag" status. It is an international award granted to beaches and marinas for pro-ecological activities, cleanliness and high quality of services.

The 3 km long Valkanela beach is an ideal vacation spot for families with children. This place is characterized by a gentle descent to the sea and is covered with small white pebbles. The second most famous beach in this area is paved and is located on the grounds of Koversada camp site, which is the most visited place by naturists.

The Istrian region is famous for truffles, Parma ham, seafood and fine wine. While relaxing in Vrsar, it is worth trying Mediterranean delicacies, such as a ford , i.e. several species of fish in sauce and grilled fish ( riba sa žara ). You can also try shark meat .

The most famous meat dishes are grilled meat, minced sticks ( čevapči ), and a minced cutlet made of three types of meat ( pljeskavica ). A popular dish in this region is also pasta with meat sauce .

Campsite Porto Sole

Vrsar is a tourist town, therefore the hotel base is very well developed here. However, when looking for a holiday in the bosom of nature, it is worth choosing the Porto Sole campsite, located about 1 km from the center. The resort is situated on a beautiful bay, and additionally it is surrounded by pine trees and cypress groves.

There are two swimming pools in the campsite, and additionally we have direct access to the Adriatic Sea and a 1.5 km long pebble beach . The resort has 680 plots with electricity and water connections. You can rent holiday homes, apartments and rooms here .

Porto Sole is also an ideal place for enthusiasts of active leisure. An interesting proposition is the diving center. They're excellent here too conditions for practicing sports such as sailing, canoeing and paragliding.

There are also tennis courts , volleyball and football fields at Porto Sole camp site, and you can also play table tennis. Children have at their disposal a playground , paddling pool by the pool, they can learn to play golf. A rich program of activities and games has also been prepared for them, led by experienced animators.

The resort has a restaurant, fast food bar, pizzeria, and a grocery store with fresh bread. The place is pet friendly . There is a shower for dogs in Porto Sole and there is a bathing area in the area.

The campsite provides not only all the comforts of accommodation, but also offers numerous attractions that will allow you to relax effectively after exploring Vrsar and its surroundings.