Buje

Buje (Italian: Buie) is a town situated in Istria, Croatia's westernmost peninsula, population 2,979 (2001).

Buje was known as the "sentinel of Istria" for its hilltop site located 10 km (6.21 mi) inland from the Adriatic sea. It still commands an excellent panorama. Buje has a rich history; traces of life in the region date back to prehistoric times. The town developed from a Roman and Venetian settlement into a medieval town. Buje has been part of the Venetian republic from 1358 until 1797 and has been an Italian city from 1918 to 1945. Today it is a modern regional center. Despite its development Buje has retained many features typical of various historical periods. With its narrow streets and a central square, the old town is a fine example of medieval architecture with strong Venetian influences as the rest of the region.

Overview

A baroque church from the 16th century, built on the foundations of a Roman temple dominates the square. The old city was protected with stone fortifications, part of which have been preserved to modern times. Being situated on a hill, the old town offers exquisite views on the surrounding scenery, dominated by Mediterranean vegetation, vineyards and olive groves.

Outside of the old town a modern city has sprung. After World War II Buje developed into an industrial, cultural and economic center of the region. To its visitors today Buje offers a blend of gentle Mediterranean climate, good food and a quiet setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristic Istrian coastal resorts.

It still has a high number of Italians, 39,66% of the population, making it the Croatian town with the highest percentage of Italian speakers although some Istrian villages have even higher percentages. There is an Italian school, the "Leonardo da Vinci".

References

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Buje Buje] at Wikimedia Commons

• Buje official site