Rovinj and the Istrian Peninsula

Our GPS decided to take us into Croatia by way of some narrow country roads. When we reached the border, the guard refused to let us cross because our passports were not from the European Union. But he was nice about it and directed us to a city where we could cross.

After entering Croatia, we visited the hilltop village of Groznjan.  There are a number of these beautiful villages scattered throughout northern Croatia.

Village streets

The church in Groznjan.  The painting behind the altar is different than any others we have seen.

Our next stop was Rovinj, Croatia--beautiful location on the Adriatic but very touristy after the secluded hilltop villages.

Our hotel, the Casa Grozotto.

Street scenes

Fishermen were busy Saturday morning, arranging their nets in a certain way, in preparation for their next trip.

Click on this image to admire the many, many television antennas in the little town of Rovinj

Roman amphitheater in Pula, Croatia, completed in 68 AD. Imagine how this amazing this immense structure must have seemed to the people of Pula. Such a demonstration of the power of the Roman Empire. And with the bloody entertainment the  gladiators provided for 23,000 people, also a warning: don't even think of messing with Rome. But also a holy place, sanctified by the blood of those who were killed here. A place for visitors to reflect on the sad events of long ago.

The killing field.

Peaceful, beautiful, tranquil.

After leaving Pula, we traveled up the eastern coast of the Istrian Peninsula. Or rather we tried to. We navigated through a small village where some major road construction was under way and there was absolutely no short detour. Eventually we learned of a long detour and proceeded up to Rijeka. Along the way, we saw thousands of these flowering trees.  Margaret is fascinated by them and hopes to eventually get a definite identification.

Also saw many vineyards and olive groves.  This is just a very small example.

Where else but in Croatia could we find such billboards?

Huge vegetable gardens dot the landscape.

Poppies on the roadside

The eastern coast of the Istrian Peninsula, at last.  Margaret got her sweeping views of the Adriatic--a little hazy, but beautiful.

On thw way back to Rovinj, we explored a village that was abandoned in the Middle Ages by people who were desperately seeking escape from the Plague.

How straight the walls of this tower, even without maintenance for 500 years!!

Steven, a Serb, works at our hotel in Rovinj. His home is in Vukovar, Croatia, 300 km from Rovinj, where he lives with his wife (a nurse) and his seven year old daughter. As a ten year old, he spent three months living in a bomb shelter, delighted to be constantly with his friends. At the end of that time, he was shocked to see the destruction of his city. And his Croatian friends were forced to flee the city while his Serbian family stayed. He learned the trade of a shoemaker but there is no work for that trade. When he is in Vukovar, he works with friends in the construction of houses but the work is in short supply so he has spent most of one year working in England and two years in Rovinj to support his family, just to pay the bills. He is an exceptionally industrious person who seizes any opportunity to work; also sad and discouraged by the lack of opportunity in Vukovar. Steven's older brother is an Orthodox priest, well educated, a teacher, married with a good life. Steven was absolutely delighted to receive a small gift for his daughter, a children's book about Minnesota. Ten thousand lakes?? Is that possible??