Vrsar, Croatia

Vrsar, Croatia

Europe

According to zipcodesexplorer, Vrsar is a small medieval town located between Rovinj and Poreč, right next to the Lim Bay, which stretches inland for several kilometers. Spectacular landscapes of the Adriatic coast, developed resort infrastructure and the authentic atmosphere of the Middle Ages attract tourists who are looking for peace and quiet. And also for those who are disgusted by some conventions of civilization: the largest nudist complex in Europe has been opened in Vrsar.

Some of the most picturesque islands of the Adriatic are scattered along the entire coast of Vrsar. And they are all uninhabited.

A bit of history

The history of the city cannot be called otherwise than stormy. However, this applies to the whole of Croatia. The ethnic composition of the inhabitants of the city changed from century to century. The city saw a lot of rulers, it was part of the Croatian kingdom, then became part of the Venetian Republic, lived under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, obeyed the Habsburg Monarchy, Italy, Yugoslavia, until it became part of the Croatian Republic. Now it is a cosmopolitan city that has absorbed elements of all the cultures it has dealt with in its long history.

The beaches of Vrsar

Local beaches are mostly concrete platforms and rocky plateaus, but you can also find small pebble areas nestled in bays on the rocky coast.

The beaches here are rocky, it is not very convenient, but it is very beautiful, and the panorama of the nearby archipelago from these beaches is breathtaking.

Nudist center Koversada

Not far from Vrsar is the largest nudist recreation center – Koversada. This complex is designed for 6600 people, is well equipped and has a developed infrastructure. Part of the territory of the complex is reserved for camping. Many opportunities for outdoor activities, a variety of living conditions, the picturesqueness of the complex attract many vacationers here, and there are only a few Russians among them. It should be noted that there is a rule on the territory of the complex: do not photograph people.

Entertainment and attractions of Vrsar

There is a Christian church of the 5th-6th centuries in the city, one of the few churches in the Romanesque style that have survived in Istria is the Church of the Virgin Mary (13th century). The old part of the city is rich in architectural monuments, including the Church of St. 6 centuries.

The appearance of the city is unique, its architecture is unique. The red tiles of houses, numerous white arches made of Vrsar stone, ancient churches, modern avant-garde sculptures, narrow streets that lead to the sea – all this allows Vrsar to be considered one of the most beautiful cities in Istria and sinks into the soul of the traveler forever. The most striking landmark of the city is the parish church of St. Martin. From the laying of its foundation in 1804 to the consecration in 1935, many years and events passed. However, the construction of the bell tower was completed only by 1991. But now you can climb the bell tower and see the surroundings: a stunning shade of the sea, a bizarrely indented coastline, nearby archipelagos of islands, cities and towns located in the vicinity. In full view, the panorama of the old city and its sights is visible from the bell tower. Having descended from the tower, it is worth taking a walk to the Main and Small city gates. They were built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style, their monumentality speaks of the ability to withstand difficulties.

Cannonballs embedded in the arch of the Small City Gate evoke thoughts about the battles and sieges that befell this gate.

Not far from them is the Church of St. Anthony (17th century), it is interesting for its design: around the small church there are terraces, which sometimes provided shelter for travelers who did not have time to find an overnight stay.

Also interesting are the old Christian church, the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary (12th century), Roman buildings for various purposes and numerous small churches. In general, the city is small, you can get around it in a couple of hours, but during a walk, the labyrinth of streets will inevitably lead to one of the terraces from which you can see an amazingly beautiful panorama of the sea. For those who want to expand their geographical experience, we can recommend an excursion to Rovinj, a trip to the islands or just a boat trip, maybe not as informative as an excursion, but no less pleasant. A boat trip can be independent, if you rent some kind of watercraft, it is highly desirable that it be reliable.

Diving

The absence of private beaches on the coast of Croatia makes it possible to take long walks at the edge of the sea, and it is amazingly transparent here, the reason for this is the lack of sand on the coast. Of course, snorkellers couldn’t help but appreciate this moment, and diving is thriving here. Divers are attracted by coastal reefs, a lot of fish and marine animals that have chosen the local bottom because of its specific relief, numerous ships sunk off the coast of the peninsula (well, so many sea battles have passed here that they could not do without lost ships). Of particular interest is the sunken cruise ship from the Austro-Hungarian era. The ship is interesting both in itself and as an artificial reef, which was chosen by numerous marine inhabitants.

Vrsar, Croatia