Lovrecica Istria

Lovrečica

Surrounded by seagulls lazily hovering over its shoreline and its small harbour of old wooden boats repaired by tireless hands, Lovrečica evokes forgotten memories of a Mediterranean peace and quiet. There is a strong bond between the sea and the village, both now and in the past. In years gone by, for the inhabitants of the village, the sea was the main source of prosperity. Today, the village, whose name originates from its guardian St Lawrence or San Lorenzo di Daila, attracts modern travelers who choose their accommodation in many private houses, apartments or in some of the campsites that surround the picturesque village of Lovrečica.

With its shallow sea, abundant with various fish and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Lovrečica is located near Umag, between Cape Malin, famous for its old windmill, and cape Lovrečica, named Santarella in Italian with the name deriving from the word «saltarelli» describing old fishing nets. This has led Lovrečica to offer a wide and varied array of architecture from devastated Roman villas, the bay of Sv.Ivan Kornetski with an ancient port and the remains of a mediaeval castle, numerous old inscriptions, followed by the resolute guardians of the faith such as the St.Lawrence church, which holds the oldest classical organs in Istria from 1733, as well as the baroque church of St.John dating from the 12th century, located on a famous prehistoric site on Finida peninsula.

History

The area of Lovrečica was first populated during the Roman period, as is clear from the remains of the patrician villa and remains of its beautiful mosaics, inscriptions, graves and the ancient cistern. In 1028, the Frankish emperor Conrad the Second, gave Lovrečica to the Aquileian Patriarchate, who then returned Lovrečica, following the emperors wishes, to the bishop of Novigrad. In 1291, under the Treviso peace treaty, Lovrečica fell under the Venetian rule and was ruled by the bishops of Novigrad, who had full jurisdiction until 1519, when the civilian authority was given to the Umag podesta. According to some testimonies and proofs, Lovrečica had a tower in the 15th century, which was used by the bishop of Novigrad for conducting both church and citizen disputes but it was also used as a lighthouse.

The St.Lawrence church, with its cemetary, is mentioned in the apostolic visitation from 1580 but the exact date of its construction is still unknown. The church was expanded first in 1879 and then in 1894. The idea of building the church tower came from bishop Juraj Dobrila, with the idea that the tower be used not only for the ecclesiastical purposes but also for better orientation of the ships that were sailing in these parts. The construction of the tower began in 1883 and it was finished in the year of 1893. During its history, like many other Istrian places, Lovrečica was desolated by plague and malaria, which was efficiently alleviated in the 20th century. Lovrečica finally came into its full power in the present time.

Recommendations

Lovrečica – St.Lawrence church, containing valuable organs from the 1733, a work of Gaetano Amigazzi, with impressive statues of saints and a lovely baptistery from the year 1713, a church tower dating from 1893 and measuring 25 meters stands separate from the church

Peninsula Punta Finida - St.John`s church from the 12th century, partitioned in the 1882.

Penisula Punta Finida – the remains of a pre-historical settlement

The bay of Sv.Ivan Korentski – Roman archaeological site with the remains of a harbor and several entombment findings, followed by a part of a medieval tower devastated in the 11th century

Babići – votive chapel of the Mother of God, dating back to 1934.

Cycling – gentle coast, old olive groves and abundant vineyards are the ideal landscapes for sport spirits to find the perfect tracks for cycling

Recreative jogging – Lovrečica`s coast and surroundings offer excellent jogging tracks

Fishing – rich sea offers many types of fish, perfect for professional fishermen but also for the beginners, which will surely enjoy this unique experience

Events

Folk feast, Sv.Ivan, Babići – Lovrečica, Umag – celebrating the village guardian with abounding celebrations and gourmet offer, performance of the local wind orchestra, klapa (a cappella singers), choirs, music bands; held at the end of June

Fešta od bobića – traditonal corn feast offering a rich gastronomical offer, competition in preparation of the most tasteful corn, funny games with prizes, wind orchestra, choir, klape (a cappella singers); held at the end of July

Folk feast of St.Lawrence, Lovrečica – celebrating town’s guardian with a rich celebration and the gourmet offer, with a local wind orchestra, a cappella singers, choir, music bands, classical concert in the church, fishing competition, cards tournaments, volleyball, football, local games “vogalonga” and “sciavoga”, sea games, presentation of boškarin -the Istrian ox; held on the 10th of August

Your searches