Strange Istria Attractions

This article, Strange Istria Attractions, will present you with some of the most unusual and funny attractions, which add to its appeal and make it even more adorable.

On the surface, Motovun is just a charming village. But it is covered with mystical legends about giants and some lay lines, which locals believe to have special powers.

©David Matković

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Introduction of Strange Istria Attractions

Istria is a unique region in Croatia with a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from the rest of the country. The Romans referred to it as ‘Terra Magica,’ and it was once part of Italy until after World War II. Istria is renowned for its distinct culinary offerings, such as wines, prosciutto (pršut), and olive oils. The region’s interior is just as breathtaking as its coastline, with evidence of its Roman, Byzantine, and Habsburg pasts visible in its churches, museums, and other sites. So, suppose you’re looking for a refined, high-end dining experience or simple relaxation in one of its coastal marvels. In that case, you are in for a treat. In addition, the inland consists of timeless hilltop villages like Grožnjan, Motovun, or Hum, where you can indulge in Italian cuisine. Rabac has seen recent openings of family-friendly or boutique hotels on the equally developed East Coast. Opatija has a Cannes-like flair of the 19th century. To make your stay in Istria more diverse and appealing, don’t miss out on peculiarities like Tito’s surreal island zoo of Brijuni.

They have their vampires.

One of the first Strange Istria Attractions that come to our minds is vampires. You can easily forget the tracks of time in the enchanting Istrian village of Kringa, a mere 20 kilometers from the picturesque coastal town of Rovinj. However, we must note that the villagers of Kringa were once ruthlessly terrorized for 16 long years by the infamous vampire, Jure Grando. This legend of the “štrigun” (the local name for a vampire at that time) has been passed down through the generations. It is said to have inspired the works of renowned authors such as Byron, Le Fanu, and Stoker.

San Servolo Wellness & Beer Spa

©Rajan Milosevic/LEVEL52

In a quiet rural setting, a four-minute drive away from the hilltop town of Buje, there’s the lavish San Servolo Resort, definitely one of the Strange Istria Attractions.

But its most unique feature is Croatia’s first and only beer spa. There’s a choice of rooms in a classic or contemporary style, while the heated pool opens up to the outdoors. Two saunas and a restaurant are other big draws. So, what is more weird than having a hot beer bath in the middle of the wine region?

©Booking.com

Vrsar – the Village might be too romantic for you.

©Ekaterina Polischuk

The legend of the world’s most famous seducer, Giacomo Casanova, is the subject of a free walking tour in English in Vrsar, Istria. The Venetian writer and adventurer stayed in this pretty seaside town in the 18th century. So, the walk also lets you discover hidden parts of the old town and hear tales of this romantic bohemian.

But for the couples, be careful; the place might be too romantic for you, and you could fall in love again. After all, we don’t want you to return home as a single guy. As you can see, Vrsar is simultaneously one of the most appealing and strangest Istria attractions.

If you are looking for suitable accommodations in Vrsar, click here.

©tripadvisor.com

Lighting festivals in Pula

Giants with extraordinary height and strength once inhabited Istria. Still, now they’ve reappeared in modernized forms as illuminated cranes in Pula. These eight cranes change colors and create special effects every hour after sunset, providing a mesmerizing light display that lasts for 15 minutes.

Istrian are the champions of the Unusual events and festivals, from the lightning giants to the ice hockey matches in the Pula amphitheater. However, another lightning festival, the Visualia Festival, is a renowned event showcasing the latest technology and audiovisual art. It features stunning luminous installations that transform Pula into a mesmerizing wonderland. The festival includes exciting events like the X-ica night race and the Pula Marathon. It has gained immense popularity since its beginning in 2013. It is considered a prestigious event in the world festival calendar of light. Thousands of visitors flock to the festival yearly for unforgettable experiences and fantastic light stories.

Note: Here, you will find the best accommodations in the area.

It is the land of the world record mushrooms.

Of course, we are talking about truffles, especially in one village. Namely, the wonderful medieval townlet of Motovun, perched high on a hill, overlooks the stunning natural landscape below. But everybody comes here for its par excellence culinary experience. The white truffles are primarily known as culinary diamonds. They are rare and delicious, considered superior to the more common black variety. White truffles are only found in Istria and Italy – nowhere else. The Motovun Forest is considered Truffle Central.

In 1999, Giancarlo Zigante found the giant truffle and still holds the world record for locating the most prominent white truffle ever.

Note: Find suitable accommodations in or around Motovun.

©tourist.hr

The world’s smallest town

There are towns in the area, but some may need to be more significant for you to explore on foot. One such town is Hum, often dubbed the smallest in the world. Furthermore, it’s a remarkable symbol of medieval culture and architecture; the town is a monument. According to legend, Hum was made from leftover stone from the valley of the Mirna River, where giants had built other towns.

©itinari.com

You can find African animals there.

The Brijuni islands boast a Safari Park that houses a diverse collection of exotic animals gifted to the park by diplomatic partners during the Tito era. These include nilgai, zebu, Asian elephants from India, plains and mountain zebras from Guinea’s Ahmed Sékou Touré, and waterbuck from Ethiopia.

Why are they serving only Istrian wines?

For a truly unique and exciting wine experience, Istria should be at the top of your list. With a rich winemaking history and intriguing wine stories, Istria is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast. The Malvazija Istriana grape, the most widely grown white grape variety, has undergone significant quality improvements over the years, resulting in a dry, well-rounded wine with fresh and fruity aromas produced in various styles, from sparkling to sweet. While Istria is traditionally famous for its white wines, its red wine production has made impressive strides, especially with standout wines like Teran. For a favorite local wine that’s sure to impress, try the Kozlović Santa Lucia White. This exceptional wine, aged in large oak barrels, boasts a strong identity built around its fine structure and elegance. It is just one of many impressive wines the pioneering Kozlović family produced.

©istra.hr

Istria is the land of the best Olive oil.

Istria competes with Tuscany’s charming towns, rolling hills, and delicious cuisine. Its olive oil tradition dates back to Roman times, with the 1600-year-old olive tree on Veliki Brijuni island and ancient amphorae on display in Pula. Croatia’s output is small compared to Spain’s, but Istria’s high-quality extra virgin olive oil has gained international recognition.

The Conclusion of the Strangest Istria Attractions

Istria is commonly referred to as the new Tuscany. And we couldn’t agree more! It has an otherworldly landscape, with picturesque hilltop towns and premium local cuisine. So, it can become a competitor of the finest Italian regions! It has also placed its stamp on the world traveler map, so we decided to share some of The weirdest Istria Attractions with you. Now, let’s get back to you. If you know some more bizarre Istrian sights that might be appealing, you can share them with us in the comments below.