Myths and legends invite to Istria

Rovinj, Istria

The aromas and flavors of Istria blended with its surroundings and a skillfully told mythic story is a new tourism product which will this summer be offered to visitors who are looking for cultural experiences.

Specifically, in nine Istrian locations (Medulin, Poreč, Pula, Pazin, Svetvincenat, Rovinj, Savudrija, Labin and Buzet) stories and legends associated with the specific location will be staged. The archaeological site Vižula will come alive through the play "Crispo", a spirit of Roman intrigue from 326, and after love and tragedy, visitors will be able to enjoy the feast prepared according to ancient Roman recipes.
This is a unique project called Istria Inspirita, which will start in the second half of June. Every Istrian story will have three stagings and 27 performances during the summer.

The aim of the plays is to bring to life a certain historical period. Visitors will be offered a complete overview of Istrian history and heritage, in a popular and interactive way, from getting aquainted with ancient monuments, historical towns and museums to participating in a Roman feast or a Baroque ball.

Mythical creatures, magic drinks and games of the ancient circus will come alive through interactive workshops of Pula`s Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria and the Sorcerer's Hat Association, which will be held for children. The character from Verne`s novel, Count Matias Sandorf will flee with two conspirators from the Pazin castle. The play, which evokes 1867, is organized in Pazin by the Tourist Board of Central Istria. The Regional Museum of Poreština is organizing a play which, through the adventures of robber Domenico Furlan, portrays the year 1699, as well as Baroque entertainment, while in Svetvinčenat, the spirit of the medicine woman and pharmacist Mare Radolovich, who was declared a witch in 1632 by the locals and burned at the stake in the courtyard of the castle Morosini Grimanim, will come alive.

What the fishermen and laborers ate, and what they discussed in Rovinj taverns will be staged in the play "Spacio." In the old town of Buzet visitors will be able to experience a touch of antique Buzet through music, dance, food and drink of ancient times, and in Labin get to know the tough everyday life of miners and the struggle for the Mining Republic. The Savudrian lighthouse, built in 1818, is the place of the staging of an intriguing love story between the Count Metternich and a Savudrija girl, and the deliciousness of forbidden love should also be brought closer to visitors through the gastronomy offer with alleged aphrodisiac properties.

For next year Istria Inspirita plans to expand with nine more new experiences and locations, and the goal is to achieve hundereds of performances, or extend the program throughout the year. Istria Inspirita should become a new reason for guests to visit the largest Croatian peninsula.