Barbariga

Located on the western coast of Istria, about 20 kilometers north of Pula, Barbariga is a charming little hamlet that any archaeology buff will love to visit. Its origins go back to the ancient Roman times when the area was densely populated, with some remains in the region dated as early as 1st century BC. The most important archaeological find in the Barbariga area are the remains of one of the biggest oil mills in the ancient Mediterranean, complete with twenty oil presses and a storage that could accommodate for six thousand liters of olive oil. Together with the two villae rusticae the oil mill forms the Dragonera archaeological site located near the Dragonera beach. Further remains of a wool and fabric factory, a blacksmith’s workshop, the prehistoric fort Mandriola, and the early-Christian church of St. Andrew prove that the ancient Barbariga was a lively and busy settlement, with a flourishing economy. The ancient name of the area of Barbariga was Punta Cissana (Cape Cissana). Its modern-day name dates back to the 16th century when the Venetian family Barbariga owned most of what is today known as Old Barbariga. Barbariga also served as an important part of the defence system of the Pula war port, with seven forts built in the the early 20th century. Although abandoned, the forts remain in relatively good condition. The modern parts of Barbariga were built during the 1980s as a tourist resort with private apartment accommodation. Aside from the abundance of archaeological sites the area is known for its local gastronomy based on fish and seafood, and its pebbled beaches and numerous coves surrounded by pine, oak and olive trees.

№673 in Villages and settlements of Croatia