Istria
Istria (Croatian: Istra) is the north-westernmost province of Croatia. In a triangular shape, it is surrounded in the north by Slovenia, east by the Kvarner region of Croatia and on the south and west by the Adriatic Sea.History:
in earlier times part of the Venetian Empire, this region has seen many empires such as Byzantine, Roman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslavian (Communist). The cultural inheritance of Istria is thus very rich and varied.
After crushing the Illyrian Histri clan the Romans settled in the cape and left a great heritage, making Pula into an central administrative hub and constructing villas, amphiteatres and temples. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the central land remained a feudal province occupied by Slavs, Byzantines and finally Austrian Habsburgs, at the same time as the shore fell under control of the Republic of Venice in the 13th century. Intermittent
Since 1797, the Croatian residents of Istria fought for sovereignty and were severely oppressed both by Austrians and Fascist Italy (after World War I), finally 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. comparatively spared from the Yugoslav Wars, Istria is now a flourishing region. Recent years have seen a growing regional sentiment and a reconciliation with its previously conflictive Italian character.
Nature:
The Istrian peninsula offers stark contrasts: The inner area is intact and mountainous with very old walled cities on hills with neighbouring fertile fields, whilst the coastline has several beaches -do not expect any sand in them, though- and dazzling scenery of stony walls plummeting into the sea. The Istrian shoreline is possibly the most developed tourist target in Croatia. Hordes of Italian, German and French tourists enjoy package tourism during the jam-packed high season.
Although Pula is the main city according to populace and culture, relatively rural Pazin is the managerial centre of the peninsula. The Southern end of Istria is arguably the best area for biking. Ask for a bike map in Pula Tourist Office, showing well-marked routes around the coast and in the Cape Kamenjak.
Language
Croatian is the formal and most common language, but in these once Venetian lands Italian is nearly universally spoken. There is still an Italian cultural community in many coastal towns. Most restaurants in the main town also have an English speaker or two on staff.
