The little town of Vrsar is an enchanting old fishing settlement on the western coast of Istria between Rovinj and Poreč, above the Lim Channel. This picturesque town is split into two parts – the historic old town filled with culture that has a colorful history lies on the top of the hill, while the more contemporary and lively other part of the town lies beneath, alongside the beaches and the marina.
The narrow, arched streets of the old town lead to the city gate, small squares, stone houses, Romanesque citadel, picturesque churches and three town belvederes. The panoramas of Vrsar coastline are truly amazing: the most indented coastline of Istria is adorned by one of the most beautiful Mediterranean archipelagos comprising 18 uninhabited islands surrounded by the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.
Vrsar can be proud of its colorful history dating back to the prehistoric period. For centuries it has been known for its springs of drinking water because of which it got its ancient name Ursaria (old Mediterranean word "ur" or "spring"), as well as the nearby town Funtana (fountain), also a destination of ancient seafarers seeking for rest and refreshments. The Italian poet and adventurer Giacomo Casanova spent the summers of 1743 and 1744 in the romantic Vrsar and refers to the town in his famous memoirs.
Owing to the production of salt, Vrsar is marked on the maps of the old world, and it is possible to find the high-quality grey stone of its streets, used in the construction of Venice itself, throughout the Roman Empire.
Vrsar is known as the city of sculptors; this is the location of the famous Dušan Džamonja's sculpture park. You can find stone sculptures all over the town, and their number grows each year after regular visits of Montraker international sculpture colony.
The arable land of the area around the town is covered with wine grape and olive-groves and shells and other sea delicacies are farmed in the nearby protected nature park Lim Channel, which makes Vrsar favorite destination for gourmets and wine lovers. Tourism is an important link in Vrsar's economy and the town has been proclaimed as the best tourist destination on the Croatian Adriatic several times. Vrsar is a holiday destination for all those who love active vacation as well as for families. Today, just like in the old days, it is the favorite harbor for boaters with one of the best marinas in Croatia.
General information
Number of inhabitants: 2.703
Surface area: 22,9 km2
Population density: 118 ppl/km2
Climate: Mediterranean climate (average spring air temperature is 12,5 °C, during the summer 23,4 °C, in autumn 15,6 °C and in winter 5,5 °C)
Sea temperature: average sea temperature in June is 22 oC, in July 24 oC, in August and September
23 oC
History
The area around Vrsar has been inhabited since prehistory, according to the remains of Paleolithic culture found in Romualdo's Cave above the Lim Channel, and the town is proud of its 2000-year old history. The Illyrian tribes Histri, the first known people of this area, were involved in cattle-raising, agriculture and seafaring trade with the Greeks and Etruscans. In the first century before the new era, the first building was erected, a rustic Roman villa, exactly on the place of today's old town, after that a small settlement by the coast started to develop. In the ancient period, Vrsar was a famous harbor for the export of Istrian stone and salt afterwards. During the II and III centuries began the spreading of Christianity and in the IV century Vrsar became an important Christian center. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Vrsar was ruled by the Goths and then the Byzantium that governed this area up to the VIII century. The Byzantine government was followed by a short Lombard rule, when it was conquered by Charles the Great in VIII century, and then it fell under the Franc rule. It is not known exactly when, but somewhere between IX and X centuries Vrsar fell under the Poreč Diocese administration (until 1778) and it became the administrative center of the Poreč Diocese and its bishops who ruled in the name of the Pope. Although in 1267 it accepted the Venetian protectorate, the Diocese did not pay any tax to Venetian doges or the patriarchs from Aquilea, up until 1778 when Vrsar fell directly under the Venetian rule.
It is interesting to mention Casanova's stay in Vrsar during the summers of 1743 and 1744.
After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, Vrsar entered the Austrian Monarchy until 1805, when it was briefly conquered by the French. In 1813 started the century of the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy until the First World War, followed by the Italian and short German occupation. In 1947 Vrsar and Istria became the constituent part of Yugoslavia, until the establishment of Croatia in 1991.
What to visit?
Distinguished monuments and landmarks in Vrsar:
- The Church of St. Foška
- City Gate
- the remains of the Roman necropolis (on Montraker peninsula)
- old Romanesque City Gate
- castle
- Church of St. Anthony
- Church of St. Martin
- Romanesque basilica of St. Mary of the Sea
- the remains of prehistoric settlement on the top of the town
- promenade and harbor
- abandoned quarries
- Edo Murtić's art gallery
- Sculpture park… More about all attractions in Vrsar…
Take a look at the recommendations about the things you must see and do during your stay in Vrsar: Top 10 activities in Vrsar.
Vrsar is the departure point for many organized boat excursions for holiday-makers who enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the Istrian coast. The popular boat trip destination is the nearby Lim Channel, the unique natural fjord in Istria which is also the protected natural area. Excursion boats also offer night departures, fish picnic adventures or a real trawling experience.
Those looking to explore the region will find that there is a number of very interesting excursions from Vrsar. The nearby city of Pula is known for its impressive Roman Amphitheatre (one of the largest in the world) and an art-deco style market. One of the interesting things is a visit to Motovun, a mystical small place on the top of the hill which stages an international film festival each August. A short boat ride away are the Brijuni Islands, an archipelago of 12 islands of stunning beauty, or Rovinj, the lively and romantic neighboring town filled with small shops and galleries. Find out more about the excursions in the surrounding area, both organized tours and independent visits.
Accommodation
Gastronomy
Vrsar also offers a rich selection of Istrian gastronomic specialties, from world-famous prosciutto to asparagus and truffles. Istria is known for its fresh seafood and much-appreciated oysters and mussels from Lim Channel, and Istrian wines are widely appreciated. It is definitely worth trying the local Malmsey and white or grey Pinot and brandy, a very popular liquor of the region. Restaurants with a selection of fish dishes dominate the gastronomic offer of Vrsar.
Top 3 restaurants and bars in Vrsar are:
- Restaurant „Široko“ (homemade meat and fish dishes)
- Beer-vault „Belvedere“ (a great selection of beer and international cuisine)
- Caffetteria Galinero (warm beverages and pastries).
Sport
Guests who like active holidays can enjoy various activities – tennis, mini golf, bowling, paddle boat ride, and they can also go cycling along the coast. It is possible to rent sporting grounds for playing traditional ball sports and various equipment and vessels, such as motor boats, sailing boats, surf boards, Nordic walking sticks, etc. Those who are more adventurous can go to the nearby adrenaline park, go sport climbing, try diving, and enjoy the panoramic flights in small airplanes, sky-diving or flying motor kites with the Sports Airport Vrsar... More…
Entertainment and nightlife
Vrsar can be proud of its various catering facilities: restaurants, bars, bistros, pizzerias, beer-vaults... especially down the sea promenade. Those who wish to entertain themselves all night long can go to the nearby Poreč (11 km) and its clubs.
Summer in Vrsar is always filled with events, From June to September Vrsar is the host of the annual music festival „Sea and Guitars“ held in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Sea and on St. Antun Square. Music lovers can totally relax with gentle tones of traditional Croatian music. From May to September local people organizes fisherman's feasts. The crowd gathers on the moonlit sea shore and enjoys the sounds of summer evening music and verses with Istrian seafood specialties.
Every year in September the „Montraker – summer sculpture school“ takes place in the deserted quarry. The art festival of love and erotic – Casanova fest also takes place.
Resorts usually organize guest entertainment that includes day-long activities, from educational, artistic and creative to sports activities for guests of all ages. Almost every accommodation facility celebrates its own day, and the most famous event of this kind is Koversada feast, when Miss Naturist Park contest takes place.
Beaches
The beaches in Vrsar and its surroundings are mostly stony and rocky, with rocks and tiny pebbles. Pebble beaches are in the tourist settlement Belvedere and campsite Valkanela and some in the nearby place of Funtana and sandy beaches, beside rocky beaches, are in Koversada, as well as the special beach for children. On the north, the little harbor of Vrsar is protected by Montraker peninsula, which is also one of the famous Vrsar beaches, where you can enjoy swimming and a view of the little town.
The visitors who want to enjoy the beaches have many possibilities since Vrsar has many beaches with the Blue Flag, the symbol of preserved environment, the beaches in campsites Valkanela, Porto Sole, in tourist resorts Belvedere and Koversada.
How to arrive
Roads toward Kanfanar and Poreč link Vrsar to the main Istrian roads. Vrsar is easily reached by flying to Trieste, Ljubljana, Zagreb or Rijeka but the closest airport is Pula… More…
Tourism
The earliest beginnings of tourism date back to early ancient period, when Vrsar was a transit harbor and the place where ancient seafarers supplied themselves with drinking water. In the Romanesque period it became a fortified town and a summer residence for bishops and noble men. For centuries Vrsar enchanted the adventurers, artists, fishermen and lovers.
The development of modern tourism started in 1960 when the construction of the majority of tourist facilities began. Since then, with its authentic atmosphere of a small fishing town, one of the most beautiful Istrian archipelagos and various tourist attractions, Vrsar has been one of the most famous destinations for summer holidays in Istria.
It became world famous in 1961, when it became the pioneer of European naturism, with its campsite Koversada and one of the biggest naturist beaches in Europe.