Partnership
Our partner in Rovnij is a secondary school called Srednja Skola Zvane Crnje Rovinj.
Official website: http://ss-zcrnje-rovinj.skole.hr/
Rovinj/Rovigno is a city in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea. The old town of Rovinj, the keeper of history and heritage of one of the most photogenic Mediterranean towns is a very popular tourist resort and an active fishing port. Istriot, a Romance language once widely spoken in this part of Istria, is still spoken by some of the residents. It is one of famous destinations on the Croatian Adriatic, as it’s so delightfully pretty, and also lively with its numerous cafes and restaurants, galleries and an active fishing port – in the mornings you can watch the fishermen come in as you have your breakfast.
Official website of Rovnij: http://www.rovinj.co/en/
Culture
The narrow alleyways and the small squares which have witnessed the turbulent history of the town are full of medieval, gothic, renaissance, and baroque buildings and terraces. On the northern side, you will find the remains of the walls which used to protect the town’s inhabitants from conquerors and looters. Walking down the old alleys is a very special experience – you will feel like time has stopped and you have returned to the ancient era. Walking in the historical old town, you will find a new surprise at every step. Small churches, monuments, old doors and arches behind every corner, and if you find yourself in need of a break and rest, your kind hosts will invite you into one of the numerous restaurants.
Besides the significant historical richness, Rovinj offers also many cultural goods. Art is very important in the cultural center of Istria and that is why every year a lot of manifestations are being held here. Some of them are "Umjetnička kolonija Rovinj" and "Grisija". Some other manifestations are the international pop festival, the day of the holy Euphemia, the Rovinj Summer Festival and the Regatta in Rovinj. You can also visit a lot of local museums.
Places to visit
Visiting the Church of St. Euphemia is an absolute must – this is the largest Baroque building in Istria. Built according to plans by Venetian architect Giovanni Dizzi, the bell tower on the church is a copy of the one at St Mark’s Basilica in Venice and at 61 meters high is the tallest in Istria. The tower has a statue of St. Euphemia on it which is mounted so it moves according to wind direction.
The Town Museum on Trg M Tita near the harbor is home to various archeological findings, and paintings and sculptures
And of course, place for everyone who likes sea thematic and delights of the underwater world, Rovinj Aquarium is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1891. It houses various flora and fauna from specimens from around Rovinj and Istrian waters.
People
Croatians are very kind and peaceful people. In fact that their country welcomes millions of tourists every year, Croatians are very friendly and they like to meet new people, make new friends from all over the world. And yes, it is also a reason why Croats have a good knowledge of English.
Croatians strive for a better quality of life. Because of this mentality, they are pretty happy people. They will feed, drink and laugh their way straight to your heart. You can put a Croatian anywhere and they will have a good time.
In 2007 there were 13,562 people living in Rovinj. 76.31% are Croats, while ethnic minorities include Italians (16%), Serbs (3.51%), Albanians (2.37%) and Bosnians (1.81%).
Food
Rovnij boasts Old World charm, dazzling culinary experiences, and plenty of outdoor appeal.
Along with wine and olive oil, these are the central pillars of Istrian cuisine and are usually incorporated into Italian-style pastas and rice dishes.
Given the abundance of produce that's hauled ashore every morning, fish is generally excellent wherever you go, but for something a little special, take a taxi north and along the coast to Blu. The remote location means it’s a bit quiet in the cooler months, but come summer, this is where you’ll find locals and clued-up visitors sampling simple but extremely accomplished Istrian classics, like prawn and black truffle risotto and olive-crusted bream.
Closer to the action, Santa Croce in the old town also makes good use of the local produce – the fuzi pasta with black truffle and pršut (local ham) is a stand-out dish, as is the decadent sharing selection of desserts. Alfresco dining is recommended on warmer evenings, as is an aperitif/digestif at La Puntulina, a bar and restaurant on the rocky coast and the best place in town to watch the sunset.
