The crown jewel of the Istrian peninsula is none other than the city of Buzet. This ancient city sits atop of an emerald green hill that overlooks the surrounding countryside.
The view is nothing less than awe inspiring and there are hundreds of small villages dotting the countryside in all directions. There are beautiful canyons, rolling hills and enchanted woods all around this ancient town. You will also find that Buzet is known for its olive oil and of course for its wine.
Old town of Buzet, Istria
There are many legends in the area surrounding Buzet. Each of these stories plays a crucial role in what makes the cultural heritage of Buzet so unique. The area where the city lies today was inhabited as far back as the prehistoric times with a number of important artifacts having been discovered in the region.
However, Buzet was not always the name of this town. Known as Pinquentum by the great Roman Empire, this town has a number of important archaeological spots from the Roman Era. When the Romans left, Buzet was inhabited first by the Longobardi after which the Byzantium took over the area.
By the 7th century, the Croats began settling in the area and by the 9th century, the area fell under the Franks control until the Carolingian took over in the 11th century.
By the 15th century, the Venetians took control over the area that is now Buzet and began to build palaces in the area; several of which still stand today. From the Venetians to the Austrians, the city flourished through the centuries until World War II where German troops took control over much of the Istrian peninsula.
All of this change of control over the years has added to the rich cultural diversity of the town. Today, there are so many great places to see and things to do in Buzet.