Novigrad, Istria
Encyclopedia
Novigrad is a town and a municipality in Istria
, Croatia
. It is also known as Novigrad Istarski to distinguish it from three other Croatian towns of the same name. Novigrad is set on a small peninsula on the western coast of Istria
, two kilometres north of the mouth of the river (Croatia) Mirna. The area covered by the municipality extends from the village of Dajla in the north to the mouth of the River Mirna in the south.
and right up until 1828 it was the seat of the Bishopric, from 1270 it was under the rule of the Venetian Republic
until its fall in the late 18th century, and it suffered a good deal of Turks in 1687. The Old city is situated on a peninsula. The triple-naved basilica of St. Pelagius dates from the 8th century, and the present church was built on the foundantions of the old basilica in the 15th and 16th centuries. Beneath the presbytery there is a late Romanesque crypt. In the sacristy of the present parish church, the former basiilica, 15th century antiphonaries are kept with their simple and beautiful initials.
Novigrad has retained its medieval structure and layout, with narrow, winding streets and small shops. The fortifications belong to the medieval era: the town wall still stands with its battlements and tow round towers. There are examples of secular architecture from the time of the Venetian empire, such as the town loggia and several houses built in Venetian Gothic
style.
3.1%, Serbs
2%, Slovenes 1.9%, Turks 0.57% and those declaring themselves as Istrians 1.2%. Novigrad has an Italian community.
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It is also known as Novigrad Istarski to distinguish it from three other Croatian towns of the same name. Novigrad is set on a small peninsula on the western coast of Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
, two kilometres north of the mouth of the river (Croatia) Mirna. The area covered by the municipality extends from the village of Dajla in the north to the mouth of the River Mirna in the south.
History
There was an ancient city in the broad area of what is now Novigrad . In the 5th-6th centuries it was called Neapolis (Greek Νεαπολις). From the early Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
and right up until 1828 it was the seat of the Bishopric, from 1270 it was under the rule of the Venetian Republic
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
until its fall in the late 18th century, and it suffered a good deal of Turks in 1687. The Old city is situated on a peninsula. The triple-naved basilica of St. Pelagius dates from the 8th century, and the present church was built on the foundantions of the old basilica in the 15th and 16th centuries. Beneath the presbytery there is a late Romanesque crypt. In the sacristy of the present parish church, the former basiilica, 15th century antiphonaries are kept with their simple and beautiful initials.
Novigrad has retained its medieval structure and layout, with narrow, winding streets and small shops. The fortifications belong to the medieval era: the town wall still stands with its battlements and tow round towers. There are examples of secular architecture from the time of the Venetian empire, such as the town loggia and several houses built in Venetian Gothic
Venetian Gothic architecture
Venetian Gothic is a term given to an architectural style combining use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople, Arab influences from Moorish Spain and early...
style.
Demographics
According to the 2001 census, Novigrad had 2,629 residents, with a total municipal population of 4,002. Croats comprised 70% of the total population, followed by Italians 12.7%, AlbaniansAlbanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
3.1%, Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
2%, Slovenes 1.9%, Turks 0.57% and those declaring themselves as Istrians 1.2%. Novigrad has an Italian community.