A B O U T I S T R I A
Istria is the biggest peninsula at the Adriatic, and also the furthest western area of Republic of Croatia. Having this favorable geographical position (almost heart of Europe, half way between the equator and North Pole), Istria has always represented a bridge which connects central European continental area with the Mediterranean. The basic characteristic of the Istrian peninsula is given by the Mediterranean climate which slowly shifts as you go from the coast towards the inner parts and shifts into continental climate due to the airflow coming from the mountains and the Alps nearby. The main attributes of the climate are: warm and dry summers and the winter are mild and pleasant. It rarely snows.
Istria hosts many natural values, among which Brijuni area is especially interesting - 680 floral species are found there. Also protected are natural reserves, such as Učka Park of Nature, Limski zaljev and Kamenjak at the South of Istria, Motovun forest, Park Forests Zlatni rt near Rovinj and Šijana near Pula, ornithological reserve Palud near Rovinj. The natural values also include the following: Pazinska jama (cave) where river Pazinčica ends it surface flow and continues into the sea via subterranean route, and cave Baredine near Poreč with its numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
During its whole long rich history, Istria was a crossroad for many nations and their cultures, which left numerous valuable artifacts and monuments such as: antic roman monuments (amphitheater Arena, Arch of Sergije, Augusts temple in Pula), complex of Basilica Euphrasiana in Poreč, lots of sacral heritage (small medieval churches painted with fresques, and a special jewel of the medieval mural painting are fresques Dance of the Dead located in a church near Bermo in Pazin area), the biggest Istrian church of St. Blaž in Vodnjan with huge (730 art pieces and objects) and very old collection of sacral art and mummies of saints, medieval castles and fort