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Porec
KNOWLEDGE OF Porec
PoreÄ? (Italian Parenzo, Latin Parens or Parentium, archaic German: Parenz), 45.2258° N 13.593E° , altitude 29 m), is a city and port on the western coast of Istrian peninsula, in Istria county, Croatia.
PoreÄ? is almost 2,000 years old, and is based on a harbour protected from the sea by the small island of Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas). The city population of around 10,500 resides mostly on the outskirts. Including nearbt municipalities, there are 17,500 inhabitants, 20,000 within the PoreÄ? municipality limits. The city area covers 142 km², with the 37 km long shoreline stretching from the Mirna river near Novigrad to Funtana and Vrsar in the south.
The local climate is extremely mild, free of oppressive summer heat. The month of August is the hottest, averaging 30° C in conditions of low humidity, while January is the coldest with an average of 5° C. There are more than 2400 hours of sun insolation a year, an average of more than 10 hours of sunshine during the summer days. Sea temperatures can reach 28° C, higher than one might expect compared to the coast of southern Croatia where the air temperatures are higher. The average annual rainfall of 920 mm is equally distributed throughout the year. Winds here are "Bora", bringing the cold, clear weather from the north in the winter, and "Jugo" (jug = south in Croatian), warm wind from the south bringing rain. The summer breeze that blows from the land to the sea is called the "Maestral."
The grotto (cave) of Baredine, the only open geological monument of Istria, is in the vicinity. Limski Kanal (Lim Bay) is a 12-km long fjord-like structure, created by the river PazinÄ?ica eroding the ground on its way to the sea. Quartz boulders are occasionally found here, exposed by the sea.
The landscape is rich in Mediterranean vegetation, with pine woods and green bushes, mostly of the holm oak and strawberry tree. For generations, the fertile blood-red land (Terra rossa or Crljenica) was used in agriculture (cereals, orchards, olive gardens and vegetables). Today the production of organic food, including olives, grapes and quality vines such as Malvazija, Borgonja, Merlot, Pinot and Teran, is significant.
Road traffic is the primary form of transportation. PoreÄ? is well-connected with the rest of Istria and with larger cities such as Trieste, Rijeka, Ljubljana and Zagreb. The nearest commercial airport is located in Pula. Sea traffic is less important today than it was for centuries in the past; these days it is primarily used for tourist excursions. The closest railroad connection is in Pazin, which is the seat of regional government, (Istarska županija). In 1902 a narrow-gauge railway line called Parenzana or Parenzaner Bahn, connecting Trieste with PoreÄ?, was introduced. It provided rail service until 1935.
Traditionally, economic activities were always connected with the land and sea. The only significant industry in the area is food processing. Having been entirely integrated with Europe since 1994, PoreÄ?'s trade, finance and communication sectors are growing. The primary source of income is tourism.
Real estate prices are very high due to the city's prime location.
The population of PoreÄ? is mixed, with Croats, Italians, Slovenes, Albanians and Serbs living in the area. There is a tradition of tolerance in the area between people of differing origin.
Locality is known since the prehistoric times. During the 2nd century BC Roman Castrum was built on tiny peninsula with dimensions just about 400 m by 200 m where the very city core is situated. During the reign of the emperor Octavian in the 1st century, it officially became city and was part of the Roman colony Colonia Iulia Parentium. In the 3rd century place already had organized Christian community with early Christian complex of sacral buildings. Basilica was built here in 5th century where bishop Mauro, today's patron of the city already possesses his building.
With the fall of the Roman empire in 476, different rulers and powers governed. First, it was held by Ostrogoths and after 539 was part of the Byzantine Empire. With the end of 6th century, Croats arrived and built first permanent settlement around the year 620. Since 788 it was ruled by Franks. Short independence period followed in the 12th century and after that it was ruled by the patriarchs of Aquileia. In 1267 it became part of Venice whose rule lasted for more than five centuries. In late 18th century it was first administered by Napoleon Bonaparte and then became part of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1797. Starting in 1861, PoreÄ? was the capital of Istria, the seat to a Regional Parliament with schools, administrative and judiciary offices, other services. For a few decades, (1920 - 1943), it possession of Italy and finally, after 10 September 1943 was united with what is today Croatia.
In 1844 the Steamers Society, the Austrian Lloyd from Trieste, opened a tourist line which included PoreÄ?. The first tourist guide describing and depicting the city was printed as early as 1845. The Austro-Hungarian aristocracy was the first to discover the area in 1866, when Austrian archduchess Stephanie introduced the city to the public by sailing into PoreÄ?'s harbor in her yacht Phantasy. In 1867 archduke Charles Stephen and archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria vacationed here, and in 1868 Charles Ludwig visited the area. The oldest hotel is the Rivijera, constructed in 1910. Later came the Parentino and others.
Unknown outside of Europe today as it was for decades within Yugoslavia, PoreÄ? is the undisputed Croatian tourist capital; no other area really competes. Otherwise famous known resorts such as Pula, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Marco Polo's Korcula, Rudjer Boskovic's Dubrovnik and the pearl of the Adriatic are simply behind this Istrian tourist giant. Here are more than 95,000 places for overnight stays--more than 30 hotels, 13 camping sites, naturist camps, 16 apartment complexes, villas, bungalows, pavilions and family houses. It is a staggering number compared to the size of the city itself. Tourist infrastructure is intentionally dispersed along the 37 km long coastline, between the river Mirna and the deep Limski Kanal (Lim Fjord). The south hosts self-contained centers like Plava Laguna (Blue Lagoon), Zelena Laguna (Green Lagoon), Bijela Uvala (White Cove) and Brulo. To the north, mirroring centers are Materada, ÄŒervar-Porat, Ulika and Lanterna. More than 30% of the tourists vacationing on the west shores of Istria, the most visited region in Croatia, stay here.
Those summer suburbs have their hotels, beaches, campsites, marinas, department stores, transport, playgrounds, entertainment, grocery and other stores. In the high season, the area's temporary population can exceed 120,000. Since the best part of vacation takes place outside the city, PoreÄ? is crowded with vacationers strolling trough its stony slippery streets, along the harbor and in the evenings. At any time, one can hear at least ten languages being spoken by tourists in the shops, restaurants, disco clubs, bars and harbor.
There is more here than sea and sun, and European summer visitors know it. PoreÄ?'s heritage can be seen in the historic town center, in museums and galleries hosted in the most prestigious houses and palaces, many of them still private homes as they have been for centuries. Numerous guests probably do not realize or consider that they are walking on streets built by the Romans, enriched with traces of other great cultures.
In the off season, weekend visitors from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and mostly Italy visit the area. Sports complexes are developed and used year-round. During the liberation war (1991-1994), these complexes were used to host refugees from other parts of the country.
PoreÄ? is almost 2,000 years old, and is based on a harbour protected from the sea by the small island of Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas). The city population of around 10,500 resides mostly on the outskirts. Including nearbt municipalities, there are 17,500 inhabitants, 20,000 within the PoreÄ? municipality limits. The city area covers 142 km², with the 37 km long shoreline stretching from the Mirna river near Novigrad to Funtana and Vrsar in the south.
The local climate is extremely mild, free of oppressive summer heat. The month of August is the hottest, averaging 30° C in conditions of low humidity, while January is the coldest with an average of 5° C. There are more than 2400 hours of sun insolation a year, an average of more than 10 hours of sunshine during the summer days. Sea temperatures can reach 28° C, higher than one might expect compared to the coast of southern Croatia where the air temperatures are higher. The average annual rainfall of 920 mm is equally distributed throughout the year. Winds here are "Bora", bringing the cold, clear weather from the north in the winter, and "Jugo" (jug = south in Croatian), warm wind from the south bringing rain. The summer breeze that blows from the land to the sea is called the "Maestral."
The grotto (cave) of Baredine, the only open geological monument of Istria, is in the vicinity. Limski Kanal (Lim Bay) is a 12-km long fjord-like structure, created by the river PazinÄ?ica eroding the ground on its way to the sea. Quartz boulders are occasionally found here, exposed by the sea.
The landscape is rich in Mediterranean vegetation, with pine woods and green bushes, mostly of the holm oak and strawberry tree. For generations, the fertile blood-red land (Terra rossa or Crljenica) was used in agriculture (cereals, orchards, olive gardens and vegetables). Today the production of organic food, including olives, grapes and quality vines such as Malvazija, Borgonja, Merlot, Pinot and Teran, is significant.
Road traffic is the primary form of transportation. PoreÄ? is well-connected with the rest of Istria and with larger cities such as Trieste, Rijeka, Ljubljana and Zagreb. The nearest commercial airport is located in Pula. Sea traffic is less important today than it was for centuries in the past; these days it is primarily used for tourist excursions. The closest railroad connection is in Pazin, which is the seat of regional government, (Istarska županija). In 1902 a narrow-gauge railway line called Parenzana or Parenzaner Bahn, connecting Trieste with PoreÄ?, was introduced. It provided rail service until 1935.
Traditionally, economic activities were always connected with the land and sea. The only significant industry in the area is food processing. Having been entirely integrated with Europe since 1994, PoreÄ?'s trade, finance and communication sectors are growing. The primary source of income is tourism.
Real estate prices are very high due to the city's prime location.
The population of PoreÄ? is mixed, with Croats, Italians, Slovenes, Albanians and Serbs living in the area. There is a tradition of tolerance in the area between people of differing origin.
Locality is known since the prehistoric times. During the 2nd century BC Roman Castrum was built on tiny peninsula with dimensions just about 400 m by 200 m where the very city core is situated. During the reign of the emperor Octavian in the 1st century, it officially became city and was part of the Roman colony Colonia Iulia Parentium. In the 3rd century place already had organized Christian community with early Christian complex of sacral buildings. Basilica was built here in 5th century where bishop Mauro, today's patron of the city already possesses his building.
With the fall of the Roman empire in 476, different rulers and powers governed. First, it was held by Ostrogoths and after 539 was part of the Byzantine Empire. With the end of 6th century, Croats arrived and built first permanent settlement around the year 620. Since 788 it was ruled by Franks. Short independence period followed in the 12th century and after that it was ruled by the patriarchs of Aquileia. In 1267 it became part of Venice whose rule lasted for more than five centuries. In late 18th century it was first administered by Napoleon Bonaparte and then became part of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1797. Starting in 1861, PoreÄ? was the capital of Istria, the seat to a Regional Parliament with schools, administrative and judiciary offices, other services. For a few decades, (1920 - 1943), it possession of Italy and finally, after 10 September 1943 was united with what is today Croatia.
In 1844 the Steamers Society, the Austrian Lloyd from Trieste, opened a tourist line which included PoreÄ?. The first tourist guide describing and depicting the city was printed as early as 1845. The Austro-Hungarian aristocracy was the first to discover the area in 1866, when Austrian archduchess Stephanie introduced the city to the public by sailing into PoreÄ?'s harbor in her yacht Phantasy. In 1867 archduke Charles Stephen and archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria vacationed here, and in 1868 Charles Ludwig visited the area. The oldest hotel is the Rivijera, constructed in 1910. Later came the Parentino and others.
Unknown outside of Europe today as it was for decades within Yugoslavia, PoreÄ? is the undisputed Croatian tourist capital; no other area really competes. Otherwise famous known resorts such as Pula, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Marco Polo's Korcula, Rudjer Boskovic's Dubrovnik and the pearl of the Adriatic are simply behind this Istrian tourist giant. Here are more than 95,000 places for overnight stays--more than 30 hotels, 13 camping sites, naturist camps, 16 apartment complexes, villas, bungalows, pavilions and family houses. It is a staggering number compared to the size of the city itself. Tourist infrastructure is intentionally dispersed along the 37 km long coastline, between the river Mirna and the deep Limski Kanal (Lim Fjord). The south hosts self-contained centers like Plava Laguna (Blue Lagoon), Zelena Laguna (Green Lagoon), Bijela Uvala (White Cove) and Brulo. To the north, mirroring centers are Materada, ÄŒervar-Porat, Ulika and Lanterna. More than 30% of the tourists vacationing on the west shores of Istria, the most visited region in Croatia, stay here.
Those summer suburbs have their hotels, beaches, campsites, marinas, department stores, transport, playgrounds, entertainment, grocery and other stores. In the high season, the area's temporary population can exceed 120,000. Since the best part of vacation takes place outside the city, PoreÄ? is crowded with vacationers strolling trough its stony slippery streets, along the harbor and in the evenings. At any time, one can hear at least ten languages being spoken by tourists in the shops, restaurants, disco clubs, bars and harbor.
There is more here than sea and sun, and European summer visitors know it. PoreÄ?'s heritage can be seen in the historic town center, in museums and galleries hosted in the most prestigious houses and palaces, many of them still private homes as they have been for centuries. Numerous guests probably do not realize or consider that they are walking on streets built by the Romans, enriched with traces of other great cultures.
In the off season, weekend visitors from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and mostly Italy visit the area. Sports complexes are developed and used year-round. During the liberation war (1991-1994), these complexes were used to host refugees from other parts of the country.
Alfred