Barbariga Croatia

Barbariga in Croatia (photo by Zupa Vodnjan)

Barbariga (Croatia) information

Barbariga Croatia is a small residential-touristic settlement located on the western shore of Istria, 16 km from Vodnjan and 20 km from Pula. Its name derived from Barbarigo family which had many duxes, cardinals and governors. Barbarigo family have had many estates, and their remains are still visible today in the area called Stara Barbariga. Country estate of the family consisted of a residential and commercial part and a place for the colons – workers on the estate. New part of Barbariga is called Nova Barbariga, and it is an apartment settlement built in the 80s which can receive up to 6000 people. Besides the apartments, inside is a small shopping center, bars and a couple of restaurants. The surroundings are sparcely populated.

Barbariga (Croatia) is located on Barbariga Peninsula which used to be called Punta Cissana for the legendary ancient city Cissa which has many legends. Supposedly, the God decided to destroy the city because of their debauched way of life. Many of the archeological findings suggest that the town was flooded in the 8th century, and there are numerous locations suitable for the alleged town. Many evidence suggest that the city was densely populated in the Antiquity. The remains consist of a large number of ancient villas which were used for living, but also for commerce. This whole area was noted for its agriculture and olive oil production back in the Antiquity. One of the biggest oil refineries in the Mediterranean have been found in Barbariga area. The warehouse had a capacity of 6.000 liters of olive oils. Maritime villa from the 1st century was also found, and beside it an oil production facility with 20 presses and a ceramic tiled pool for oil subsidence.

Barbariga - Dragonera location

Barbariga – Dragonera location (photo by Zupa Vodnjan)

South of Marić Cove (Porto Maricchio), stone objects for oil subsidence were found along with evidence of water tanks. Besides the oil production facility, wool production and fabric coloring facilities have also been found. It is assumed that there was a port in Porto Maricchio Cove that was used for the transport of oil. Above Barbariga near to Betiga, there is an ancient villa rustica with a tank.
The most significant archeological site on Barbariga area is Dragonera which is divided in two sub-localities: Dragonera North and Dragonera South. Maritime villa was found in Dragonera North, along with olive oil production facilities and a furnace. During the years, villa was damaged by the sea. Maritime villa close to the sea was found in Dragonera South which consisted of residential building, production facility and a dock. It is assumed that the villa originates from around 90-70 BC. The remains of beautifully decorated mosaics suggest that the villa was in property of one of the high officers or Rome – aedilis. There was an old blacksmith found at the site which is a unique finding on this area. The text of the Roman prefect and a senator, Cassiodorus from 537 AD, tells us about the villas and their beauty and calls them “two pearls”.

 

Barbariga beaches

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Barbariga beach (photo by Istra)

All the beaches in Barbariga (Croatia) area are rocky with soft entrances to the sea which makes them suitable for families with kids and older persons. Close to the settlement there is a pebbled beach with beach bars and beach volleyball courts. Lifeguard service takes care of the safety of the swimmers. There is an autochthonous holm oak forest near the beaches which give a comforting shade from the warm summer sun. Read more

 

Sport and recreation in Barbariga Croatia

Barbariga is suitable for long walks by the sea with its autochthonous holm oak forest that surrounds it. There are many paths and trails for bicycling. Beach volleyball lovers have a court they can play on. Because of the attractive shore and seabed, Barbariga is favored among the divers. You can rent pedal boats, bikes or scooters.


Natural attractions of Barbariga (Croatia)

On one side surrounded by beautiful beaches, Barbariga is cut in to the autochthonous holm oak forest that surrounds it which offer great possibilities for exploring the charms of nature in attractive Barbariga. Besides the beautiful nature, Barbariga is known for its dinosaur bones findings.

Datule – Barbariga

Paleontological site Datule – Barbariga 1Datule – Barbariga are is a special reservation and a valuable paleontological site with its dinosaur remains. According to scientific research, it belongs to the Lower Cretaceous, a time period before 130 – 120 million years. Read more

Photo credit: IstriaCulture

 

 

 

Cultural and historical attractions of Barbariga (Croatia)

Cultural and historical attractions of Barbariga, besides ancient villas, consist of many churches, basilicas and the remains of ancient cities and forts.

 

The Chapel in Betiga

The Chapel in Betiga 1Betiga is a small settlement 1000 meters away from Barbariga. There are remains of a Monastery of St Andrew with a chapel from the 5th century which has a floor mosaic decoration. In the other half of the 5th century, west of the chapel a monastery was build. The baptistery was added in the 7th century, and a cemetery chapel in the 8th. Because of the plague, the monastery was abandoned in the 13th century. Read more

Photo credit: Župa Vodnjan

The Basilica of St Michael

The Basilica of St Michael 1The remains of three-nave basilica were found in 1907. There was a mosaic floor, a sarcophagus and buried graves. The basilica was functional until the first half of the 15th century. In 1456, its remains were used to build the Church of St Michael. Wooden statues were found in the church and transferred to the Sacred Art Collection in the Parish Church of Vodnjan. Read more

Photo credit: Župa Vodnjan

Fort Forno

Fort Forno Barbariga 1For the protection of its main naval port, the Austrians built the Fort Forno in 1904 as a part of the defense system of the city of Pula. The fort was in the sector 9. Coastal region of Pula was classified as a coastal fort. In Fort Forno complex there were two more batteries: Benedetto and Caluzzi, with cannons of 305 mm and 208 mm caliber. Main task of the Fort Forno was to protect Brijuni Islands and the Fažana Channel. From the fort you can see Rovinj, Fažana and Pula. In Barbariga area there are a total of 14 defense objects. As a part of Brijuni Rivijera project, Fort Forno is planned to be converted for touristic purposes. Read more

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