Amazing Istria: Opatija to Rovinj and the Mystery of St. Euphemia
Opatija, Croatia is a beautiful seaside town with a long tradition as a tourist destination and a 7 mile shoreline promenade called the Lungomare offering sparkling vistas from sunrise well into the indigo evenings.
Hotels all offer breathtaking views.
And of course, there are the legends. Every town in Croatia has at least one. Here, a statue of a Maiden with a Seagull extends her arm to the sea.
In 1956, she replaced the original storm ravaged “Madonna del Mare” erected to keep vigil over the soul of a long deceased count whose widow also died in the storm. Her infant son was saved and years later commissioned the Maiden.
And the Cuttlefish Black Risotto is a menu staple.
Then on to Pula with its famous arch, temple and amphitheatre. The Arch of Sergii was built at the end of the 1st century BCE (!) by Salvia Postuma Sergii with her own money, ( this fact is inscribed on the arch) in honor of the three members of her family who took part in the battle of Actium. The Temple, situated in the Forum, was dedicated to the goddess Roma and the Emperor Augustus. It was constructed between the year 2 BCE and 14 CE (!!) and made into a library in the 19th century.
And finally the Amphitheatre. Built from 27BC through 68 AD, it is one of the six largest Roman amphitheaters in the world of only 200 still in existence.
And its acoustics were good enough for the Avril Lavigne concert scheduled for that evening.
We continue our explorations to Rovinj, a fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The old town is charming, located on a headland with houses cascading to the seafront. A warren of cobbled streets leads to the church of St. Euphemia.
Oh, the mystery…Euphemia was a 2nd century martyr whose marble sarcophagus came floating to the coast of Rovinj after a storm at dawn of July 13, 800. Legend has it that the people of Rovinj tried without success to haul it to the Church of Saint George. Finally, answering St. Euphemia’s call, a small boy with two cows managed to haul the sarcophagus up the hill to the place where her church now stands.
A climb up the rickety 97 wooden steps was worth the splendid views!
Then back to Opatija for one last sunset stroll on the Lungomare and a seafood feast.
Related Posts
Unraveling The Best and Biggest Mysteries of Machu Picchu
What is Machu Picchu? There is no reference to Machu Picchu in Inca literature or …
October 28, 2024
“Si!” to Peru’s Signature Delicacies, Ceviche and Pisco Sours
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country’s authentic cuisine with …
October 26, 20243 COMMENTS
Leave A Comment
Dress up night!
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country`s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight.
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru live direct descendents of the ancient Inca people, invaded by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500`s. This indigenous group of people are called the Q`ueros.
#abroadtravelingabroad #incahistory #incatrail #peru #sacredvalley #seniortravel #shaman #soloseniortravel #solotravel #womentravelingsolo
Although the trail to the remarkable Inca engineering and cultural achievement called Machu Picchu is Peru`s most famous destination, Cañon del Colca, or Colca Canyon is a grand and extraordinary experience...one not to miss!
#abroadtravelingabroad #colcavalley #condors #peru #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel
We did it! #Machupicchu #incatrail #wiracocha #abroadtravelingabroad #hirambingham #sevenwonders
Sacred Valley of the Incas #ollyantaytambo #peru #wiraquocha #abroadtravelingabroad
Near Saqsayhuaman Inca site #shaman #shamanism #perushaman #healingrituals #abroadtravelingabroad
Island life #uros #urosfloatingislands #laketiticacaperu #Peru #abroadtravelingabroad
Colca Valley #condors #chivay #andes #andeancondor #abroadtravelingabroad #peru #inca #incatrail #colcacanyon
A day in Arequipa, La Ciudad Blanca #santacatalinamonastery #laiglesiadelacompañíadejesús #elmisti #ceviche #peru
Croatia`s Secret Genius: Sculptor, Artist, Designer...Meet my friend Ivan Midzic
#abroadtravelingabroad #croatia #ivanmidzic #jewelry #midzojewellry #midzoart #rovinj #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shopping #soloseniortravel #solotravel #steuphemia #statementjewelry #womentravelingsolo
Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of grocery store wannabe sushi.
Not any more.
#abroadtraveingabroad #bestsushiever #keioplazahotel #kuybeyrestaurant #nigiri #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #sushi #tokyo #travelsafetyabroad #womentravelingsolo
Thousands of vermilion Torii gates blazing in the August sun which straddle a network of trails behind its main shrines. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
#abroadtravelingabroad #FushimiInariTaisha #kyoto #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shinto #soloseniortravel #solotravel #toriigates #womentravelingsolo
A morning walk along the Miyagawa River finds farmers and craftspeople selling sansai (mountain vegetables), wasakana (river fish) along with selections of local pottery and vintage kimonos repurposed as ornate handbags and a subtle rainbow of silk jackets.
#abroadtravelingabroad #japan #japanesefestival #onsen #sake #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #takayama #womentravelingsolo
7th Annual Hawthorne Family Cooking Class #chefalyssas #thaifood #familytime
An afternoon at Tokyo`s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food.
https://abroadtravelingabroad.com/japans-ultimate-shopping-experience-at-tsukiji-and-nishiki-markets/
Maiko Performance #Kyoto #maiko #geishamakeup #japan #abroadtravelingabroad
Kyoto #🈲 #abroadtravelingabroad #goldenpavilion #kimono
Bullet train to Kyoto station late afternoon. Massive complex with floors packed with luxury designer shops, restaurants and 10 floors of the Isetan department store! Kyoto Tower replicates a lighthouse design. Looking forward to its topmost view tomorrow. @abroadtravelingabroad
Hello Kyoto #kyoto #kyotostation #everythingyouneed #abroadtravelingabroad #japaneseculture #japanesefood #japanesefashion
Lori Wolf | 10th Jul 24
Love your emails with great photos & descriptions. Thank you for sharing.
Paul Barber | 18th Jul 24
Hello “Pom…ell….ah” (the Borat pronounciation)….Mark McAndrew (PC days) said that you wanted to ask me a question? He was kidding…because I queried him about the 74 Final Four game in St. Louis and he said that maybe someone on the cheerleading squad might know (about Marvin’s injury).
Great website btw….better than the content produced by PC grad John Daly. His lacks elegance, probably due to not having an eye for elegance.
BTW…I do take questions
Pamelahawthorne | 18th Jul 24
Hi Paul – actually it was the 73 Final Four in St. Louis and all I remember about Marvin’s knee injury was that he was unable to play the second half of the semi-final game. And we lost. But Ernie D’s book offers more detail!
Best,
Pam