At the bottom of the green slopes of Mount Učka, at the edges of the Kvarner Bay, you will find the sleepy little villages of Ika and Ičići. Many Austro-Hungarian villas are scattered out along the countryside in all directions. The area itself was home to the Liburnians tribes who were responsible for attacking and pirating Roman ships until they were over powered by the might of the great Roman Empire. In the 1st century B.C., Ika and Ičići along with most of Istria would become part of the vast Roman Empire and as a result would prosper from the many advancements the empire brought with them.
Roman rule lasted until the 5th century leaving the area to fend for itself for the next thousand years until the arrival of the Ostrogoths. The region would then go from the Byzantine Empire, to the Slavs and finally the Franks before the end of the 8th century. After the arrival of the Franks, soon followed was war, famine and of course the plague which devastated the region and killed off more than 65% of the population on the Istrian peninsula.
Today, the oldest sites still standing are the Austro-Hungarian villas which populate the countryside. There are several archeological sites in the area that has unearthed treasures from the past, but unlike many other parts throughout the Istrian peninsula, there have been very few stone and Bronze Age discoveries in the immediate vicinity.
Ika and Ičići are home to many different folk festivals and some major events which attract visitors from all over Europe. There is much to see and do if you are looking for an adventure and for those who just want to relax and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, there are many perfect locations throughout the countryside for that as well.
Photo by sbabic911- A bit busy…Sorry..
