Sveti Lovrec was an important military base for Venice during the 14th century and has a well-preserved medieval centre. A short walk from the main gate takes you past an attractive 15th Century Loggia to one of the large ruined defence towers from the old town walls which betrays just how well fortified the town once was.
Just south of Sveti Lovrec, in the small village of Krunčići, is the Matošević wine cellar. Owned by Ivana Matošević, originally a landscape gardener and now one of Croatia’s leading winemakers, his customers include Heston Blumenthal who features several of the vineyard’s wines on his wine list at the world famous Fat Duck restaurant. The doors to the wine cellar are open daily for tours and tastings – wines of note include the oak-aged Malvasia white wine made with local grapes from Buje and the red and white Grimalda varieties using grapes from the village of the same name. Most visitors leave with at least a couple of bottles to enjoy on their villa terrace later.
This dramatic natural phenomenon, the Limski Kanal carves a narrow channel into the heart of the Istrian peninsula. With densely forested cliffs rising straight up to on either side and calm, green crystal clear water below, it could well be mistaken for a Scandinavian fjord and was used as the location for “The Vikings” movie featuring Kirk Douglas.
Now a designated Marine Reserve for the purity of the water, it offers ideal conditions for the mussels and oysters that are farmed here. Its majesty can be enjoyed from a number of viewpoints from the road that clings to the landscape above or from the deck of a boat as you cruise its mirror-like waters. On the bank a couple of restaurants serve the catch of the day on their terraces to tourists and locals alike.
