Buje Tourist Attractions
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Buje, known as Bullea when it was originally founded by the Romans, is a medieval town located on a high point in the area. The town has nice views out over the countryside and was commonly known as "the watchtower of Istria" due to its hilltop location. The old city center of Buje is surrounded by ancient defensive walls and maintains a medieval atmosphere with narrow, cobbled streets that all seem to converge at the main square.The main square is surrounded by the Baroque Church of St Servelus (Sv Servul) which dates to the 18th Century, the 16th Century Loggia, and a Gothic Venetian Palace built in the 15th Century. The Church of St Servelus was built on the site of a Roman temple, with some of the old structure incorporated into the church. Inside the church are some 14th and 15th Century statues and sculptures.Also of interest in Buje are the 15th Century Church of St Mary (Sv Marija) and the Civic Museum (Gradski Muzej) with arts and crafts by local artisans.
Groznjan, Croatia
Groznjan, 8km / 5mi southeast of Bruje, has a long history but was in a way, reinvented following WWII. In the 14th Century the Venetians established the town of Groznjan at this location and it became the administrative center for the region. From this time period there still remains some defensive structures. More prominent though are the later additions, including the 16th Century Venetian loggia, the Baroque Church of St Mary, St Vitus and St Modest, and the Chapel of St Cosmas and St Damian from the 16th Century.Following the Second World War, the town was almost completely abandoned. In the mid 1960s the town was descended upon by artisans and soon became known in the arts community. Painters, sculptors, and other artists set up here giving Groznjan the slogan "Town of Artists". The town is now the arts center in the region and many of the old buildings have been restored, some of which now house galleries and artisan workshops.In the summers the Jeunesses Musicales Croatia (a young musicians' organization) meet here and music can be heard throughout Groznjan as concerts are held at outdoor venues.
Umag, Croatia
Umag is a seaside resort that has become a popular tourist destination. The medieval old town is a pleasant area with narrow streets and squares. Outside of the old section, Umag has developed quite rapidly and offers modern hotel facilities. Instead of a beach the town has a concrete area for sunning and bathing in front of the hotels. Each year the town hosts the International Croatia Open tennis tournament.Umag was originally founded by the Romans and called Umacus. It later came under Venetian rule and in the 14th Century defensive structures were added to the town. Some parts of these are still visible. A number of stone houses in Umag date to the 15th and 16th Centuries.
