Not too long ago, Novigrad was a peaceful old fishermen town on the western coast of Istria.
But now, it is a popular summer holiday destination and I will show you why.
Hi guys, my name is Rok and I’m a tour guide and I can’t wait to show you Things To Do
and the Best Beaches in Novigrad, Croatia.
Small peninsula next to the mouth of the river and well protected natural harbour
were a perfect setting for a fishing town. No wonder that small fishing town developed
around its naturally protected harbour known as Mandrač. It offered natural protection
against high sea waves, stormy winds and served as a safe haven for local fishermen.
As a small fishermen’s port Mandrač was a place of fishing trade and over time it developed into
the central business area of Novigrad. Thanks to its long fishermen’s tradition people still
like to gather around the old harbour for everyday socialising with good wine
and great seafood. Mandarč is still used by local fishermen and smaller boats. But
right next to it is a large modern marina with a unique shell like pier arrangement
that gets very busy with modern yachts. The Romans also considered this small peninsula
with natural harbor to be a good strategic point. They occupied the peninsula and built their
military fort that later developed into a town. That is why this small town has an impressive
history spanning over two millennia. But in the 10th century Novigrad was threatened by
frequent pirate attacks. To secure peace and stability Novigrad and other Istria towns joined
a powerful Venetian Republic. For the next 600 years Novigrad was part of
Venice and got its Italian name Cittanova. Venetian history reflects itself in the
architecture with Venetian style houses and a distinctive Venetian style building,
the town loggia. This outdoor gallery has a covered roof with open outer walls,
providing communal space offering shade while remaining connected to the outdoor environment.
Novigrad has retained its medieval structure and layout, with narrow, winding streets and
small shops. The tip of the peninsula ends with a lovely town park that opens up to the sea.
When wandering the streets of the old town, you will stumble upon an
interesting building right behind the church. This is Lapidarium Museum, Istria’s first
purpose-built and designed museum that represents a successful merge of old and modern architecture
built to revitalise the old city centre. Modern building contains a permanent collection
of stone monuments and pieces dating between the 1st and the 18th century. Most significant
pieces include beautiful details of door sills, lintels, openwork window panels, coats of arms,
altar plates and other fragments. Museum space also works as a gallery or exhibition space
featuring Croatian or international artists and other interesting exhibitions.
Here is another unusual museum well worth the visit called Gallerion.
This private Istrian war museum offers a unique exhibition of rich maritime and naval history
of the entire Istrian coast and its different nations from the 1800s to the Cold war.
Big part of the collection is dedicated to the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Navy.
You see, after Napoleon defeated Venice and conquered most of Europe he became too
greedy and lost everything including Istria and Adriatic. The Istria region, including Novigrad,
became part of the Austrian Empire until the end of the 1st World War. Austrians
brought huge and rapid development in the region, completely transforming small coastal towns and
establishing Istria once again as an important military and naval base in the Mediterranean.
After the 1st World War Istria became part of Italy and after the 2nd World
War it changed hands again and became part of Yugoslavia. This museum is one of rare places
to show the history of different nations that shaped Istria, regardless of their
nationality as it also covers the period of Italian rule and the period of Yugoslavia.
Novigrad was once completely surrounded by the defensive walls. Some parts have been preserved,
other demolished, while some were incorporated into houses and other buildings like this
sections that serves as an entry to the hotel. In the turbulent times of the 1200s there was an
intense fight between the powerful Italian ports of Venice and Genoa for supremacy in the Adriatic.
Eventually Novigrad became part of Venetian Republic and soon after the walls were built.
The walls were the result of the painstaking labour of Istrian craftsmen, who erect and
maintain the tall ramparts made of broken stone. The walls were topped with crenulations, a typical
feature of medieval defence architecture. Walls were renovated a number of times
and reinforced with round Renaissance towers that are preserved alongside the town gates.
But the most recognizable landmark of Novigrad is a free standing bell tower at the tip of the
peninsula. It dominates the main square and on its top is a statue of St. Pelagius, the patron saint
of Novigrad. Bell tower was built in the 1800s and was inspired by St. Mark's tower in Venice.
You can climb its steps but you will need coins to enter the automated gates. Also make sure you
have checked the bell schedule. On the top you can enjoy in 360 views, but be aware that they
are partially obstructed by the fence. Bell tower is part of the Parish Church built in the 15th
and 16th centuries on the foundations of the early 8th-century basilica. Church's interior
is dominated by the baroque altar and the elevated space that hides the only crypt in
Istria. It was part of the original church and was used to hold a sarcophagus with the relics
of St. Pelagius, the town’s patron saint. If you visit Novigrad in the last
weekend of August you can join the celebration of their patron saint.
Celebration includes a three-day festivity with major entertainment, cultural and music events.
But the main reason why Novigrad is becoming more and more popular are its beautiful beaches.
You can choose between rocky, concrete and pebble beaches and most of them are still
somewhat wilder and untamed. They are famous for its crystal clear water and
numerous pines trees that provide nice shade. One of them is this lovely Campsite beach about
20 minutes walk east from the old town. This natural stone type beach is equipped with cabins,
deck-chairs and showers. In the summer season there are several restaurants and shops and above
the beach is a campsite resort where you can rent a variety of beach and water sports equipment.
Much closer to the old town, at Hotel Maestral, is one of the most popular beaches in Novigrad
known as Punto Mare. This pebble beach offers a swimming pool beside the sea
and a large sunbathing space. It’s popular with children as it also has a playground
and in the evening there is live music or a DJ. Opposite to the old town is a beautiful small
peninsula with no buildings, just pine and olive trees. Trees provide a nice shade for the
pedestrian path following the coastline. Along the bay, between the footpath and the sea is
a nice stretch of pebble beach. Beach offers beautiful views over Novigrad and due to its
shallow waters and many trees providing shade it is a popular spot for families with kids.
About 30 minutes walk west from the old town is another green peninsula known as Kastanija.
This is a beloved spot for outdoor lovers offering a popular campground as the peninsula is covered
with oak and pine trees providing nice shade. Mostly rocky and partly concrete beach offers
beautiful views of the old town. In the summer season, when camp becomes alive,
there is a small market and few very nice bars and restaurants with a beautiful sea view.
Besides lovely beaches, crystal clear sea and charming ancient town, Novigrad also offers
a unique culinary experience. Nice family run restaurants around town offer Istrian cuisine
based on seafood and fresh vegetables grown in rich red Istrian soil. But on the top of
the menu is St. Jacques shells or Kapesante as it is called locally.
Scallop shell is grown in the marine area where salty seawater mixes with fresh river water.
Due to its unique conditions this shell is considered to be one of the tastiest shellfish
in the world. It is so good that it even has its own gourmet festival held here every summer.
As there is plenty more to do around Istria I prepared a list of my favourite tours and
experiences in the description below. Especially attractive is one of the best waterparks in Europe
called Istralandia Aquapark located only 7 kilometers or 4,4 miles from Novigrad.
You can also check my other videos from the Istria region in the top right corner. If
you find this video useful you can leave a Super Thanks and help me create future travel videos.
Thanks for your support and for watching, and see you next time.