Istria is a small peninsula in the north-western part of Croatia with 200.000 inhabitants and 655 settlements bordering Italy and Slovenia. Throughout history it stood at the intersection of many cultures and peoples.
Istria is a small peninsula in the north-western part of Croatia with 200.000 inhabitants and 655 settlements bordering Italy and Slovenia. Throughout history it stood at the intersection of many cultures and peoples. That is why this area is characterized by multiculturalism, wealth of heritage, folk customs, culinary diversity, and bilingualism.
As they differ in speech, Istrians differ in their cuisine, customs, and dances. Thus, in cities such as Vodnjan, people ate lavish cakes and drank sweet wine called “vin de rosa”, similar to the Tuscan wine “santu”, while the centre of the Region endured humble pantries and only for the big holidays they could enjoy feasts in the form of “fuži” with chicken, sour cabbage, broth, and simple dessert by the name of “kroštule”. All of these differences have arisen through history since Istria has always been split between different masters, in the 20th century alone was under the rule of three states - Yugoslavia, Italy and Austria-Hungary.
The island of Lošinj is part of the Cres-Lošinj island group which, apart from Lošinj, includes the islands of Unije, Ilovik, Susak and Vele Srakane as well as a number of small, uninhabited islets, a paradise for those who want to enjoy the beautiful beaches, sun and sea.
The island of Lošinj is part of the Cres-Lošinj island group which, apart from Lošinj, includes the islands of Unije, Ilovik, Susak and Vele Srakane as well as a number of small, uninhabited islets, a paradise for those who want to enjoy the beautiful beaches, sun and sea.
In the ancient times, the islands of Cres and Lošinj were known as Apsyrtides, according to Absyrtus, the Greek hero and the main character of the mythical stories of Argonauts who, precisely here, in the northern Adriatic, succeeded in fleeing their persistent pursuers, carrying on their ship the golden fleece Argo that Jason stole from Colchis (nowadays on the Black Sea coast of Caucasus). With the help from Medea, Absyrtus’ sister, Jason waited for him around these islands, beat him, cut his body into pieces, and threw them into the sea. That’s how the city of Osor (Apsoros) got its name. Rich urban and architectural stratigraphy is complemented by systemic explorations of the early Christian and early medieval sites in Osor, and traces of dynamic life in the ancient times are present on all islands.
The Friuli Venezia Giulia has always been a meeting point between Latin, German and Slavic populations. It is characterized by a variety of different landscapes, from the Adriatic sea to the Alps.
The Friuli Venezia Giulia has always been a meeting point between Latin, German and Slavic populations. It is characterized by a variety of different landscapes, from the Adriatic sea to the Alps. Cividale conquered prestige in Roman times. With the arrival of the Lombards, it became the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy.
Since 2011 it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 1719 Charles VI of Austria established a free port in Trieste and during the government of Maria Teresa the city became the fourth city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Plains and waters characterize the landscape of Eastern Veneto with its rivers and lagoons. This area, already inhabited during prehistory, preserves important traces of populations that ruled the territory along centuries (Roman, Longobards, Byzantines, Venetians…)
Plains and waters characterize the landscape of Eastern Veneto with its rivers and lagoons. This area, already inhabited during prehistory, preserves important traces of populations that ruled the territory along centuries (Roman, Longobards, Byzantines, Venetians…)
After the great works for developing the river navigation during the Venetian period, the landscape as we can see it today was shaped mainly in the period of the unification of Italy when huge interventions were made to reclaim lands for cultivation and provide food for the villages and peasants, also through the extensive cultivation of maize in the area
Ferrara and Romagna (from the river Santerno to the Adriatic sea) are the Eastern part of the Emilia Romagna region. The toponym Romagna derives from the late Latin “Romània” and dates back to the VI century AD when Romagna remained under the rule of Eastern Roman Empire in contrast to other parts of Northern Italy under Lombard rule named Langobardia.
Ferrara and Romagna (from the river Santerno to the Adriatic sea) are the Eastern part of the Emilia Romagna region. The toponym Romagna derives from the late Latin “Romània” and dates back to the VI century AD when Romagna remained under the rule of Eastern Roman Empire in contrast to other parts of Northern Italy under Lombard rule named Langobardia.
The most-known part of the history of this area is bound to Romans, Byzantines, Papal State and Seigniories. Nevertheless, this area gave birthplace and welcomed key actors in the “Unification of Italy” process. The Pellegrino Artusi’s manual first published in 1891 has played a role as an incentive to retrieve Italy’s centuries-old gastronomic tradition and as a binding factor in the shaping of a culturally grounded national unity.