Explore Istria coast: from Rovinj to Pula city with bicycle
This springtime I went again to the Istrian coast . I stayed in hotel near Rovinj. This time I planned a bit harder cycling tour from Rovinj to Bale - Valle and Pula town.
There are many cycling kilometres thrue the countryside close the see with distinct degree of difficulty and distance. Tourists can rent a bike in the centre of old part of Rovinj town.
There are a few rentals with city or mountine bikes. Take a bike and make a trip around Rovinj town or to the coast.
Webcam Rovinj - Croatia
I left my car in small pine forest near park in the vicinty of Rovinj. The bike trip started with short stay after two kilometer at first bakery in Rovinj. I meald burek together with sea gull and enjoy view on harbour of Rovinj.
My slow morning proceed with easy cycling thrue the town, crossing wild beaches, camps and bungalovs in direction of Vestar - Vestre. I warmed one self and i began with climb to Bale - Vale village which is situated about 140 m above sea level.
Bale Vale village
There on the road the traffic was pretty weak. The climb from Vestar to Bale Valle was easy because Bale Vale was about 10 km distant. I had a lot of time so i turned on the left to village.
Bale is a village at the intersection of the Pula-Piran-Trieste and Bale-Rovinj roads. Located some five kilometers from the sea, it stands on a low hill on a limestone shelf about 140 meters above sea level. I was rising up against center of town. The old part of Bale with stone pavement retains the appearance from afar of a Medieval hill town. Great place for rest and meal - again. When I'm sat down on the stairs before church I noticed the pub with suitableness name Stone stories.
Short history of Bale Valle
The oldest evidence of settlement in Bale are Bronze Age earthworks. Bale first enters written history as Castrum Vallis, a Roman settlement established along the Via Flavia, the main Roman road in Istria. Built in the first century A.D. by the emperor Vespasian, the Via Flavia connected the Istrian peninsula and, in particular, Pula, with the primary network of imperial roads.During the medieval period, Bale was transformed from a small settlement into a fully-fortified village. In 1177, it was given by Pope Alexander III to one Peter, the Bishop of Porec. Later, it become property of the Patriarchs of Aquileia. In 1332, its ownership was transferred to Venice. The Medieval period saw the construction of the town castle and the Municipal Lodge, as well as churches and other significant buildings.The most significant building in Bale is the town castle, the Castel Bembo. Built by the Soardo family in the fourteenth century, the castle became the property of the Bembo clan in 1618. Other significant buildings from the Medieval period include the Municipal Lodge, the Granary and the Praetorian Palace, which has been used as a school. The Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Elijah and St. Anthony also date from this time. The Holy Spirit and St. Anthony churches contain incomplete late Gothic frescos.
Bale Valle - Pula
Road from Bale Valle to 20 km distatnt Pula city leads easly downward. In vicinty of Pula town the traffic was preaty hevy - specialy the trucks was dangerous because narrov road. The town Pula is situated at the southest end of the Istrian peninsula. It has been in existence since 3 thousand years and represents a combination of the old and modern city. The best known and most valuable ancient monument is to be sure the Arena, the majestic colloseum dating from the second century, the sixth largest in the world.
As a tourist center, Pula offers a large number of various cultural and entertainment events throughout the year. Hotel complexes and beaches like Medulin, Fažana, Premantura, Kamenjak are located in the direct vicinity of the city, on the forest covered peninsula, surrounded by the crystal clear sea. They offer accommodation and comfort to the most selective of guests, and everyone who enjoys a well laid table can choose one of the restaurants where selected Istrian food is prepared best suited for the renowned Istrian wine