Rovinj

Rovinj/Rovigno
City
City of Rovinj/Rovigno
Grad Rovinj - Città di Rovigno[1]

Rovinj/Rovigno as seen from the air

Flag
Rovinj/Rovigno

Location of Rovinj/Rovigno within Croatia

Coordinates: 45°05′N 13°38′E / 45.083°N 13.633°E / 45.083; 13.633Coordinates: 45°05′N 13°38′E / 45.083°N 13.633°E / 45.083; 13.633
Country  Croatia
County Istria
Government
 • Mayor Giovanni Sponza (IDS)[2]
Area
 • City 88 km2 (34 sq mi)
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)[3]
 • City 14,294
 • Density 160/km2 (420/sq mi)
 • Urban 13,056
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 52 210
Area code(s) 052
Website www.rovinj.hr

Rovinj/Rovigno (Croatian pronounced [rǒʋiːɲ]; Italian: Rovigno, Ancient Greek: Ρυγίνιον (Ryginion), Latin: Ruginium) is a city in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 14,294 (2011). Located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, it is a 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. The town is officially bilingual, Italian and Croatian, hence both town names are official and equal.

History

Rovinj/Rovigno, seen from the harbor
Rovinj/Rovigno, seen from Campanile of Saint Euphemia Church

Rovinj/Rovigno was already a settlement of Venetian or Illyrian tribes before being captured by the Romans, who called it Arupinium or Mons Rubineus, and later Ruginium and Ruvinium. Built on an island close to the coast, it became connected to the mainland much later, in 1763, by filling in the channel.[4]

Rovigno was eventually incorporated into the Byzantine Empire, later becoming part of the Exarchate of Ravenna in the 6th century, before being taken over by the Frankish Empire in 788. For the following several centuries it was ruled by a succession of feudal lords, and in 1209 it was acquired by the Patriarchate of Aquileia under Wolfger von Erla.

From 1283 to 1797 Rovigno was one of the most important towns in Istria governed by the Republic of Venice. During this period three town gates were constructed and Rovinj was fortified by two rows of defensive walls, remains of which can still be seen today. Nearby the Rovinj/Rovigno pier one can find one of the old town gates, the Balbi's Arch, dating from 1680, and a late-Renaissance clock tower. The first city statute was proclaimed in 1531.

Following the fall of Venice in 1797 and the ensuing Napoleonic interlude, Rovigno became part of the Austrian Empire, which lasted until World War I. According to the last Austrian census in 1911, 97.8% of the population was Italian-speaking. It then belonged to Kingdom of Italy from 1918 to 1947, when it was ceded to SFR Yugoslavia, as part of SR Croatia. The original town name Rovigno was then changed into Rovinj. During the post-war period many Italian inhabitants left Rovinj/Rovigno, which led to significant changes to Rovinj/Rovigno's demographic structure.

Following Croatia's independence in 1991, the town became one of the most important centers of Istria County, an administrative unit encompassing most of Istria. Rovinj/Rovigno is today the third most populous town in the county, behind Pula/Pola and Poreč/Parenzo.

Climate

Rovinj/Rovigno is one of nine settlements officially designated as towns in Istria County in western Croatia. It has a Mediterranean climate, with the average temperature 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) in January and 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in July. The average annual temperature is 16 °C (60.8 °F). Sea temperature is more than 20 °C (68 °F) from the mid-June to September. The average annual sea temperature is 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).

From May to September the Rovinj/Rovigno receives more than 10 sunshine hours a day. The rainfall averages 941 mm (37.05 in) a year and average air humidity is 72 percent. Vegetation is subtropical.

Originally the peninsula on which the city lies was an island, separated from the mainland by a channel. The latter was filled in 1763. Rovinj Archipelago includes 22 islets.

Population

Historical populations
of Rovinj/Rovigno
YearPop.±%
1880 10,100—    
1890 10,354+2.5%
1900 11,042+6.6%
1910 13,160+19.2%
1921 10,863−17.5%
1931 11,069+1.9%
1948 8,589−22.4%
1953 6,374−25.8%
1961 7,818+22.7%
1971 9,464+21.1%
1981 11,861+25.3%
1991 13,559+14.3%
2001 14,234+5.0%
2011 14,294+0.4%
Source: Naselja i stanovništvo Republike Hrvatske 1857–2001, DZS, Zagreb, 2005

In 2007 there were 13,562 people living in Rovinj/Rovigno. 76.31% are Croats, while ethnic minorities include Italians (16%), Serbs (3.51%), Albanians (2.37%) and Bosniaks (1.81%).


City government

The City Assembly is composed of 19 representatives, coming from the following political parties:

Economy

Star Breeze in Rovinj
Picturesque town houses

The main economic activity in Rovinj/Rovigno is tourism and during peak season (May–September), its bars, restaurants and art galleries work long hours, while operating limited hours off-season.

The busiest area is the very centre of Rovinj/Rovigno, extending from the main bus station towards the old part of town, where most bars and clubs are located.

The town's main central thoroughfare is the fully pedestrian Carrera Street, with many independent shops and art galleries. A farmer's market is located at the edge of the historic part of town, near Valdibora Square.

According to data compiled by Istria Tourist Board, Rovinj/Rovigno is the second biggest tourist destination in the county, in terms of overnight stays. The two closest airports are Pula/Pola (Croatia) and Trieste (Italy) and during the summer season, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair operate direct flights from western Europe to both airports.

Also during the summer season, there is a direct high speed ferry link between Venice and Rovinj/Rovigno. High speed weekly lines to the Port of Ravenna and Cesenatico are also available in the summer.

There are numerous hotels in the town itself, and beds are abundant though usually overbooked in the summer months. Accommodation ranges from private rooms or apartments to bungalows, camping sites and 2 to 4 star hotels. The city also has two luxury, 5-star boutique hotels, Hotel Monte Mulini and Hotel Lone. Apart from hotels on the mainland, there are also a handful of hotels on small islands surrounding Rovinj/Rovigno which are linked to the mainland by boats which go from the city centre to the hotel on the islands.

Sights and landmarks

Rovinj at sunrise

Transportation

The preferred means of transport for getting around Rovinj/Rovigno is by car. Rovinj/Rovigno is well-connected with the rest of Istria and with larger cities in the region such as Trieste, Rijeka, Ljubljana and Zagreb.

The centre of Rovinj/Rovigno, which includes the old town, is very walkable and transportation by bike or scooter is a preferred means of getting around for many locals.

The closest commercial international airports are Pula/Pola (20 miles), Trieste-Ronchi (70 miles) and Rijeka-Krk (80 miles). Car rental is available at each of the airports.

Rovinj/Rovigno is served by the Kanfanar railway station (10 miles), which connects the region to Rijeka/Fiume. However, travelling by bus is preferred to travelling by train due to the limited connections and schedules. The main bus station is located at the south-east end of Carrera Street.

Education

Primary schools
Secondary schools

Twin towns

Rovinj is twinned with:

References

Bibliography

  • Cresswell, Peterjon; Atkins, Ismay; Dunn, Lily (10 July 2006). Time Out Croatia (First ed.). London, Berkeley & Toronto: Time Out Group Ltd & Ebury Publishing, Random House Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SV1V 2SA. ISBN 978-1-904978-70-1. Retrieved 10 March 2010. 

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.rovinj.hr/rovinj/dokumenti/statut_hr.pdf The Statute of Rovinj - Rovigno. See art. 2
  2. ↑ "Gradonačelnik Grada Rovinja Giovanni Sponza". rovinj.hr (in Croatian). City of Rovinj. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Rovinj". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.
  4. ↑ "Rovinj History". croatiatraveller.com.
  5. ↑ "Rovinj Climate Normals" (PDF). Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
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