Basic facts about Vrsar

Vrsar is a fishing and tourist town on the west coast of Istria, with 2700 inhabitants. Vrsar is located on a hill by the sea and the Vrsar archipelago consisting of 18 islands. Vrsar municipality covers 9 villages which are: Begi, Bralic, Delic, Flengi, Gradina, Klostar, Kontesici, Marasi and Vrsar (Orsera).

History of Vrsar

Vrsar "live" continuous since prehistoric times, but the real history of Vrsar begins at the time of the Roman authorities in Istria. In 1 st BC the Romans conquered Histrians and Liburnians, so the whole Istrian peninsula for several centuries, came into the great Roman Empire. On the Istrian shores soon is developed a Roman colony (Pola-Pula, Porec-Parentium). Just Limski Bay (from the Latin word limes: limit) ran the boundary between the Pula and Porec.

At the beginning of Roman rule in Istria, village is not live on the site of pre-Roman village of Vrsar, but then by the sea, below the hill, is built a new village with private and public buildings. This settlement is particularly developed in the late classical era. And in Vrsar had some wealthy Roman aristocrats agricultural goods from farm buildings housing (villa rustica). In any case, Vrsar in Roman times was more than ordinary vicus (village) was a very important market town in Istria for farming and livestock products (wine, oil, corn, cheese, meat ...). The proximity of Ravenna (on the opposite side of the Adriatic) is very beneficial impact on the development of trade in Vrsar Istria Roman and other centers. Istrian agricultural products have been appreciated in the Roman market. Vrsars hinterland passed the Roman road Via Flavia, Pola (Pula) - Parentium (Porec) - Tergeste (Trieste) - Aquilea.

In 2 and 3 century in Vrsar began to spread the new religion, Christianity. With Porec and Pula, Vrsar in the 4th century became an important Christian center. Despite the large time gap in Vrsar and its surroundings are present even today traces of Roman culture.

In the second half of the 5th century (476th) the Western Roman Empire lost and Istria for a long time is coming under the rule of Germanic invaders - Goths. Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527.-565.) defeated the Goths and annexed Istria (538.) to Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium).

At the end of 6th and the beginning of the 7th century in Balkan and the Byzantine Istria (from their homeland after the Carpathians) come Slavs. To Vrsar Croats came from the interior of Istria and penetrated the valley of Draga. Somehow in the period between the 599th and 611th Vrsar was occupied and destroyed.

At the end of 8th c. (788.) Istria was occupied by the Franks, and it became part of the large state of the Frankish conqueror Charlemagne (768.-814.). Franks introduced in Istria, the feudal system and the feudal estates using the Slavic peasants. It is not known exactly when Vrsar came under the rule of Porec diocese, but its power is found continuously from somewhere 983rd the 1778th year.

In the time range of 10 to 18 century Vrsar was the administrative center of the Porec Bishops county. In fact, the Porec bishops ruled Vrsar in the name of the Roman Pope who periodically confirm their rights. Between 15 and 17 century Vrsar was hit several times by the plague. During the 17th century some Poreč Bishops always lived in Vrsar.

The first rule of Austria over Istria was short (1797th-1805th). Early December 1805th yr. Napoleon defeated at Austerlitz the Austrian-Prussian army, and peace in Bratislava (26.XII.1805.) Istria went to the French (1805th-1813th year).. Later Napoleon's defeat on the European battlefields allow Austria to again and for a longer time (1813th-1918th years.) receives Istria.

The First World War changed the political situation in Istria. At the time of the dissolution of Austria-Hungary monarchy the Italian army occupied the Istrian peninsula and it becomes a part of Italy (1918th-1943rd yr.).

In April 1941. Hitler and Mussolini occupied Yugoslavia. Istrian Croats were raised in an uprising against Italian fascists to join Istria to Croatia. In October 1943. Istria was occupied by the Germans. During the 1944. yr. in Vrsar is war between the partisans and the Germans.

In early May 1945. Vrsar is released. With treat of Paris (1947). Istria went to Croatia in the system of Yugoslavia and since 1991. The Republic of Croatia as an independent state.