Sightseeing Rovinj Old Town, Tourist attraction in Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj Old Town is a historic district set on a small peninsula along the Istrian coast of Croatia. Narrow lanes of polished limestone wind up a hill, lined with tightly packed stone houses, small squares, and the tall bell tower of the Church of St. Euphemia at the top.
The old town originally stood on a small island and was connected to the mainland only in 1763 when the channel separating them was filled in. Centuries of Venetian rule left a clear mark on the buildings, including the Balbi Arch built in 1680 and the bell tower modeled after St. Mark's in Venice.
Grisia Street, which climbs from the harbor toward the hilltop church, has been a gathering place for artists since the 1950s. Many painters still live in the upper floors of the old houses and show their work in small galleries along the way.
The cobblestone streets and limestone lanes can be slippery when wet, so shoes with a firm sole are important before heading out. The climb toward the Church of St. Euphemia is steep, but handrails are available along the way, and taking it slowly makes the ascent manageable for most visitors.
Some of the alleys behind the church are so narrow that only one person can pass at a time, a direct result of the town being built on a small island where every bit of space was used. Walking these lanes gives a sense of just how tightly the old island town was packed together.
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