History

The town is situated on the coast of the Lima bay, so-called Lima fiord. The old part of the town with the most significant sights was gradually colonized from the top of the 54m high hill to neighbouring hillsides towards the coast.

The name Vrsar originated according to linguists from the name of the coast Ursaria (in Italian Orsera). The Greek ships with amber cargoes anchored in the port of Vrsar since the ancient ages and that gave the rise of fortified dwellings on the coast. The real history dates from the reign of Romans in Istria.

Town walls and towers The remains of medieval wall and fortified rampart round the top of the hill with the historic centre of Vrsar.

St. Foschka church 17th century renaissance sight. In the church you can find a religious collection of paintings.

Another important site of the town is St. Martin church The basement of the church standing on the very top of Vrsar hill was founded in 1804. The construction was interrupted in 19th century and finished only in 1935. The church was sanctified in the same year by the Bishop of Poretch Trifun Pederzolli. The inner part of the church consists of three-part aisle with stone columns and vaults with religious paintings.

The present The villa of Bishops of Poretch The present palace originates from the former Romanic fortified palace built by the bishops of Poretch in the 12th century. It was rebuilt in the period between 14th and 18th centuries several times. Two Romanic towers from 13th century and the observatory in the south part belong to the palace too. In past the palace served the bishops as their summer residence and shelter. The palace interior has been recently rebuilt to luxurious apartments.

St. Anthon chapel Small church close to the old town gate was built in 17th century in the renaissance-baroque style. The chapel is a place of annual exhibitions of art.

St. George chapel Built in the Romanic style, stands in the St. George island surrounding the port of Vrsar.

Romanic basilica of St. Mary of the sea Situated in the port of Vrsar. Its history dates to the early Middle Ages.