You won’t see Novigrad on any Istrian “must see” list. It’s not as famous as romantic Rovinj and doesn’t have the incredible historical sights of either Pula or Porec. What Novigrad does have are medieval fortifications (which I’ll cover further below) and a laid-back atmosphere.
What we didn’t expect was to see streets lined with suspended umbrellas.
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I’ve read about a few places that have suddenly become quite popular because of their umbrella installations. Agueda in Portugal is one of those places. Novigrad’s installations are maybe not as spectacular but they add a lot of colour to the town while also providing a lot of shade. Who doesn’t like the novelty of umbrella-covered streets? A bunch of photos:
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Besides the umbrella-lined streets is a pretty town partly encircled by a wall of fortifications. They were constructed in the 14th century when Novigrad was under Venetian rule and under constant threat from the Republic of Genoa. Today you can walk around the walls, lay out on the rocks and go swimming.
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Below: The town loggia (known the Belveder)
Below: Old gate to the sea.
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Below: bell tower of St. Pelagius.
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Below: views from the long pier looking towards town.
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So our opinion on Novigrad? We found a pleasant town without the crowds that you’ll see in Rovinj or Porec. You can come here, see everything there is to see in a couple of hours and go for a swim outside the town’s walls. If you’re just looking for a base in the area it’s a great place just to relax.
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So, would you visit Novigrad? If so, do the umbrellas make a difference?
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