Novigrad, Medieval coastal town in Istria County, Croatia
Novigrad is a medieval coastal town situated on a peninsula along northern Croatia's shoreline in Istria. Stone buildings and narrow lanes fill the enclosed space within fortified walls that have endured through centuries.
The settlement emerged in antiquity as Aemona and was renamed Neapolis during the 5th century before falling under Venetian rule starting in 1270. Venetian governance shaped the town's development and fortifications for over five centuries.
The Church of Saint Pelagius and Saint Maximus, with its sole Roman crypt in Istria, anchors the town's spiritual center alongside the 1883 bell tower. Both structures remain places where residents and visitors encounter the layered religious history that shapes daily community life.
Pula Airport in Croatia and Trieste Airport in Italy serve as the main entry points, with regular buses connecting throughout the Istrian peninsula. The town center is best explored on foot through walkable streets and compact districts.
The Lapidarium Museum houses Roman artifacts excavated beneath the local church, revealing the archaeological layers beneath the medieval town. Contemporary art exhibitions rotate through the museum year-round, bringing recent creative work alongside ancient discoveries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
