The Tourist Board of the city of Rovinj-Rovigno is organizing a unique tour called Rovinj Craft Tour, which will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM. This carefully designed walk through the old town core of the city of Rovinj will provide participants with an unrepeatable insight into the rich heritage of traditional skills, crafts, and handicrafts that this Istrian pearl preserves. The starting point of this two-hour and half-hour journey through history and creativity is Trg na mostu 2, in front of the office of the local Tourist Board. Guided tours are provided in Croatian, Italian, English, and German, and when registering, which is possible no later than one hour before the start via e-mail at info@rovinj-tourism.hr, it is necessary to specify the desired language.

Exploring autochthonous Rovinj crafts

During the Rovinj Craft Tour, visitors will have the opportunity to dive into the world of authentic Rovinj crafts, discovering skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. This tour is not just passive observation; it offers an interactive experience and a deeper understanding of the cultural identity of Rovinj. Each stop on the route has been carefully selected to present a specific aspect of local tradition and craftsmanship, allowing participants to experience firsthand the spirit of old Rovinj.

Visit to the last shoemaker's workshop

One of the first stops on this interesting route is the only remaining shoemaker's workshop in Rovinj, located in the picturesque Zdenac street. Here, visitors will be able to see the master shoemaker at work, get acquainted with the tools and techniques used in making and repairing footwear, and hear stories about the long history of this craft in the city. This encounter provides a rare insight into a skill that is slowly disappearing, highlighting the importance of preserving traditional crafts. The smell of leather and glue, the sounds of hammers and sewing machines create an atmosphere of past times, reviving the spirit of old craftsmanship that was once a vital part of everyday life in Rovinj.

Sweet tradition in Spacio Matika: Rovinj fijoki workshop

The journey continues towards Vladimira Švalbe street, where Spacio Matika is located, an authentic Rovinj tavern that preserves the spirit of past times. This is not just a place where one can feel the traditional ambiance, but also participate in an interactive workshop on making famous Rovinj sweets – fijoki. Fijoki are traditional Istrian cookies, simple but delicious, whose preparation represents a part of the local culinary heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the secrets of their making, knead the dough, and shape these recognizable sweet bites. Spacio Matika, as an originally preserved space where Rovinj locals once kept and tasted wine, but also socialized, sang, and dined, provides the perfect backdrop for such a gastronomic experience, connecting tastes and smells with the rich social history of Rovinj.

Ecomuseum Batana House: The heart of fishing tradition

An unmissable point of every visit to Rovinj that aims to understand its soul is the Ecomuseum Batana House. This multi-award-winning museum, also listed on the UNESCO Register of Best Practices for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World, is dedicated to the batana – a traditional Rovinj wooden flat-bottomed boat. The batana is not just a vessel; it is a symbol of local identity, fishing tradition, and the daily life of generations of Rovinj people. Inside the museum, located on Obala Pina Budicina, visitors can explore a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the history of the batana, its construction techniques, fishing tools, as well as the life of fishermen and their families in a modern and interactive way. Multimedia displays, original objects, and documentation bring to life the rich maritime heritage of Rovinj. The Ecomuseum is not just an exhibition space, but an active guardian of heritage that involves the local community in preserving its customs through various programs.

Living heritage: Mending nets, making boats, and weaving demijohns

In the immediate vicinity of the Ecomuseum Batana House, the experience continues with demonstrations of skills closely related to fishing life. Participants of the Rovinj Craft Tour will have the opportunity to see live how the skilled hands of local masters mend fishing nets, which is an essential skill for every fisherman. This laborious but crucial job ensures that the nets are ready for fishing. In addition, the process of making or repairing a traditional wooden boat, probably a batana, will be shown, where one can observe how wood is shaped and joined to create a sturdy and reliable vessel. Another interesting traditional skill that will be presented is the weaving of demijohns. Demijohns, large glass bottles braided with withes or twigs, were traditionally used for storing wine, brandy, and oil. The technique of weaving a protective cover around the glass container is a true art, and observing this process further enriches the experience of Rovinj tradition. These "on-site" demonstrations allow for a deeper understanding of the everyday life and skills of people who lived and still live from the sea and with the sea in Rovinj.

Tastes of tradition in the House of Rovinj Pelinkovac

The last, but no less attractive stop on this tour is the House of Rovinj Pelinkovac. Here, visitors will discover all the secrets of the production of the famous Rovinj herbal liqueur – pelinkovac. This bitter-sweet drink, with a recognizable taste, is produced according to a traditional recipe more than a hundred years old. In the House of Rovinj Pelinkovac, one can learn more about the history of this liqueur, the plants from which it is made, the process of maceration and distillation. In addition to pelinkovac, other liqueurs based on rich tradition and local ingredients will be presented. A tasting of these autochthonous products will provide a rounded experience of Rovinj's heritage, combining knowledge of traditional skills with the unique tastes of Rovinj. Visitors will be able to understand how the secret recipe, dating back to 1925, is transmitted and preserved, and how pelinkovac matures in oak barrels, which gives it a special aroma and quality.

This comprehensive tour of the old town core of Rovinj offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of tradition, meet the skilled hands that preserve it, and taste autochthonous products. Rovinj Craft Tour is not just sightseeing, but a true journey through the cultural core of one of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities, ideal for all those who want to discover its authentic side and take with them a piece of its rich intangible heritage. Every step of this tour reveals layers of history and dedication to preserving the identity of Rovinj.