Funtana Travel Guide
Funtana is a romantic destination of Croatia, which lies in the western part of Istria, only 6 km away from Porec. The town is situated on both sides of the road Porec-Vrsar. To get here you can take a plane to Pula, Rijeka, Trieste, Venice or Ljubljana Airports and then take a direct bus to Funtana. The town also has good bus connections with main towns of Croatia and some Italian and Slovenian towns.
In the past Funtana was known as the place of freshwater springs, hence the name. The Romans built luxurious villas near these springs in the 2nd c. The present town's name was first documented in 17th c. During the 15th and the 16th c. an epidemic of malaria took the lives of many people in this region. To maintain their lands the owners sheltered refugees from the nearby places conquered by the Turks. In 1595 the Borisi family was granted a formal authority over the town and ruled it until the abolishment of feudalism in the second half of the 19th c.
Tourist attractions. You have an opportunity to contemplate the beauty and history of Funtana in numerous churches which grace the town. One of the most remarkable ones is the Parish Church of St. Bernard (17th-20th c.) with 34 m high bell tower built by Bernardo Borisi, which has a stunning oil painting of the Madonna with Child and Saints. Another impressive sight which should be high on your list during your Funtana travel is the Renaissance castle-fortress (17th c.) with Baroque window openings, which rises above the sea. It is the first building erected in Funtana. The church of Saint Lucy (18th c.) and the Romanesque church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (11th c.) are also the sightseeing spots you will want to take in. Finally, visit Dinosaur Park during your Funtana holidays, where you will be scared by the revived dinosaurs that can move and produce sounds.
Festivals and cultural events. The annual traditional highlight in Funtana is St. Bernard's festival which is celebrated with lots of music and fun in the last weekend of August. Art lovers can visit art exhibitions organized in Zgor Murve Art Gallery all summer long. The exhibition "Naive Art in Istria" is held in August. Various music concerts regularly take place in the regional museum.
Beaches. Most Funtana beaches are pebble. Those who prefer rocky beaches are recommended to frequent the Istra beach that can be found near the Gregov point on the southwest of the town. This beach, well protected from strong winds, has all the facilities for a good time at the sea.
Restaurants. Experience the magic of Istrian cuisine in numerous Funtana restaurants! Histria, located in the center of the town, is one of the most visited places. Riva is remarkable for fish specialties and live accordion music. If you can't start a new day without a cup of excellent coffee, spend your morning in such coffee shops as Punta, Kristijan, Bazen, Aurora, Sidro or Vinoteka while being on Funtana holidays.
Active vacations. Those who adore adrenaline related sports like parachuting, paragliding and water skiing will truly enjoy their Funtana travel. The sport offer of the town also includes horseback riding, cycling, scuba diving and the facilities for other kinds of sport popular in Croatia.