Rovinj, Coastal town in Istria, Croatia
Rovinj is a coastal town in Istria on the Adriatic Sea, spread across a peninsula surrounded by smaller islands. The old quarter rises on a hill with narrow lanes leading down to the harbor, where fishermen lay out their nets and boats dock.
The settlement began during Roman times on an island and later developed under Venetian rule for several centuries. In the 18th century, the island was connected to the mainland through landfill, forming the current peninsula.
The name of the town comes from the Latin Arupinium, still visible in some inscriptions on old house walls. Locals speak both Croatian and Italian, which shows in the bilingual street signs and restaurant menus throughout the center.
The place is best explored on foot, as most lanes in the old quarter are closed to cars. Parking areas sit at the edge of the peninsula, from where the walk to the center takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
A small aquarium near the harbor has displayed marine life from the Adriatic in historic tanks since the 19th century. Visitors see species that live in the shallow waters around the peninsula and are often spotted while snorkeling.
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