Sveti Lovrec

Sveti Lovrech is located in the immediate hinterland of Vrsar and Porech - one of the best preserved medieval fortified towns in Istria imbued with religious motifs. To commemorate this, before each Christmas, traditional holidays are held there to commemorate and renew that era. It is organized by local monks: they share old bread, take out buffaloes and other animals, and in some buildings reproduce the crafts of the time. Also, one of the most important winter events is the living crib. Three evenings between 20.12. and 06.01. in the evening more than 150 costumed participants evoke the atmosphere of the most beautiful Bethlehem night. A Christmas Fair has been organized on the main square where its visitors can buy various handmade decorations and souvenirs. This is possible due to the fact that the city is very well preserved. The patron saint of St. Lawrence is St. Lawrence - a Christian martyr and deacon, and his name is the beautiful church of St. Lawrence dating from the 8th century, while the Romanesque bell tower next to it was added in the 11th century, and is located near the village - in the local cemetery. The circular shape of the settlement dates back to prehistoric times when there was a hillfort on the same hill. Already in Byzantine times, Lovreč was fortified with ramparts and towers, which were later thoroughly renovated on several occasions, and most of the fortifications visible today date from the Venetian era, when St. Lovreč was the seat of military administration of the entire Venetian part of Istria.

№287 in Cities of Croatia