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Situated close to Western
European civilization on the one
hand, and on the edge of
different cultural challenges on
the other hand, Istria hass a
notable history, listed on the
crossroads of three great
European cultures - Slavic,
Germanic and Romanic.
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Historical overview
Thousand years of political
special value, constant
tension and division of this
region between various
countries and political
influences of the dominant
european nations had crucial
influence on the specific
life, promiscuity and
cultural influences on the
Istrian peninsula, which
have since prehistoric
times, keep the roads from
the Mediterranean to Central
Europe, or in area of
Pannonia, and vice versa.
Through the turbulent history will note the frequent shifts of various
governments and
administrations
- from the Roman
Empire and the
Byzantine Empire
through
Franconia,
Aquileian
patriarchy, the
Venetian
Republic, Pazin
Princedom.
Illyrian
provinces,
Austria, Italy
and Yugoslavia.
Historical events, on this turbulent part of Mediterranean, caused
frequent
migration and
refugees, and
also population
changes,
traditions and
culture. There
are traces left
by many nations
Liburnians,
Histris (by
which the
peninsula was
named), Greeks,
Celts, Romans,
the Ostrogoths,
Bizantinci,
Langobardi,
Croats, Franks,
Venetians,
Austrians,
Italians ...
Culture
During its
entire history,
Istria was a
place of contact
and penetration
of many peoples
and their
cultures.
Liburnians,
Histris, Greeks,
Celts, Romans,
the Ostrogoths,
Bizantinci,
Langobardi,
Croats, Franks,
Venetians,
Austrians,
Italians,
Slovenians are
known for their
presence, works
that have leave
a trace that
current
inhabitants of
Istria are
trying to
conserve,
enhance and
modernize
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Istra is rich in prehistoric sites (Sandalja,
Romauldova caves ...), which testify
about settling first inhabitants,
Histrian ruins from the Bronze Age (Nesactium,
...); Monkodonja ancient Roman monuments
(Coliseum, Triumphal Arch of the Sergi,
Temple of Augustus, the remains of many
Roman villas ...);
Complex Euphrasian basilica in Porec in the 6th
century, included in UNESCO's list of
protected cultural heritage; other
valuable monumental heritage, such as
medieval churches painted frescoes (St.
Barnabas in Vižinada, SS. Foške the
Batvači, SS. Lovrec the Martin, St..
Margaret next Vodnjan), especially
famous jewel medieval wall painting
Dance of the Dead in the church of Sv.
Mary on Skrilinah next Berma, the
largest Istrian Sv. Blaze in Vodnjan
with a collection of religious art,
which includes 730 works and objects
from the period 5th to 19 century and
preserved mummified bodies of several
saints;
The remains of Glagolitic
alphabet influence in medieval
art and literature, medieval
citadels and fortresses in Dvigrad,
Svetvinčenat, Pazin, Pula, Momjan,
Pietro pelos near Buzet, historical
city in the Istrian town of the
interior and the coast, many
Austrian fortifications from the
19th century in the vicinity of
Pula; Italian architecture between
the two world wars with their mining
village race - a new urban plan;
recognizable traditional rural
architecture with stone walls and
kazun - a unique stone cottages
field of circular shape, are only
part of the rich cultural heritage
and the outlines of the past remains
dense as Terra Magica, as by many
Istria is called...
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About Istria
