Vrsar Tourist Attractions
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Vrsar (Orsera) is a fishing village with origins that date back to Roman times. The remains of a Roman villa can still be seen and the Montaker quarry, used by the Romans, is still drawn on today by sculptors and students learning sculpting. Vrsar was fortied, with defensive walls and towers, although little of this remains today. There is still a sea gate from that period and a Romanesque 10th Century Church of St Mary (Sv Marija) near the waterfront. Also of interest in the Vrsar is the 12th Century hilltop castle (Kastel), the nearby 19th Century Church of St Martin, and the Dusan Dzamonja Sculpture park which is north of Vrsar. To the south of Vrsar the Limski Channel is a marine reserve, with limestone caves along the shores. One of these caves was home to the well known hermit, St Romualdo.Over the last number of decades Vrsar has begun to transform itself into a resort town, with hotels and tourist facilities. The nearby Koversada is Europe's largest nature resort.
Dusan Dzamonja Sculpture Park
The Duscan Dzamonja Scultpure Park, just north of Vrsar, displays the metal and stone sculptures of modern day artist Dusan Dzamonja. The Sculpture Park is in an outdoor, natural setting. Dzamonja's sculptures are abstract pieces, usually with rounded or curving edges, which seem to provide a pleasant contrast to the natural surroundings. This artist, born in Macedonia, is a world renowned sculptor, with works in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and other galleries around the world. Twenty of his pieces are on display at the Dusan Dzamonja Sculpture Park in Vrsar. Dzamonja lives in both Zagreb and Vrsar.
Vrsar Vergottini Castle
The hilltop Vergottini Castle (Kastel), which is the primary landmark in Vrsar, dates to the 12th Century. It was originally the summer residence of the Bishop of Porec. Over the years it was expanded and renovated and in the 18th Century, it fell to the Venetian government and it was completely reconstructed in the latter part of that century. Today, the Vergottini Castle houses a collection of paintings by Edo Murtic on the main floor. Edo Murtic is one of Croatia's foremost artists, who is known for his abstracts and Mediterranean landscapes. He maintains a residence in Vrsar, spending his time both here and in Zagreb.
Vrsar Pictures
