Hotel Plazza

ANIMAL LIFE:

Istrian Dinosaurs

During the Cretaceous period, 80 to 140 million years ago, dinosaurs trod on the Istrian peninsula. It was the time of the separation of land masses and forming of continents, warm and dry climate that was favorable for the growth of lush vegetation (huge forests, fern).

The first discovery related to dinosaurs in Istria was in 1934 when Adolf Bachofen-Echt, an Austrian brewer and enthusiastic paleontologist found dinosaurs' footprints in the area of Cape Ploče on Veli Brijun.

Over the next decades, footprints were found at several other sites - Cape Barbana and Cape Peneda (island of Veli Brijun), Marlera peninsula near Medulin, as well as the nearby Levan islet. Footprints have also been found on Fenoliga islet and in a small bay in Premantura.

The greatest discovery followed in 1992 when Dario Boscarolli, a diver from Monfalcone, accidentally found a site with bones on the sea bottom near Bale (20 km from Pula and 13 km from Rovinj). This was the first discover site with remains of dinosaurs' bones in the entire Mediterranean.

The discovered bones speak of the existence of at least ten groups of dinosaurs. One of them was the plant-eating Brachiosaurus, one of the biggest and heaviest of all dinosaurs. It was 20 to 25 meters long, with a neck about 10 meters long.

At the World Paleotologists Congress held in Beijing in 1995, this newest find was presented as the discovery of the year, thus Bale was entered on the World Paleontologist Sites List.

Some of the discovered bones are exhibited in the Bale Town Hall.

The first Istrian Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden is in the ecological centre of Eia, and is surrounded by the magic fairy wood, which includes an oak-tree hundreds of years old, known as Nono. Eia is in an area of untouched nature between Bale and Krmede, and has numerous ecological projects and unusual buildings such as a house made of straw, an earthen kitchen and an Indian sauna, as well as the very special Butterfly Garden.

The Garden is in the form of a big flower bed with many different types of plants and flowers, designed to attract insects and butterflies with their appearance and provide them with nectar. Since it was planted, this beautiful and extraordinary garden has been visited by more than 50 butterfly species, including the very rare Swallowtail.

The garden has grown into a real mini-oasis magnificently supplemented by the regular presence of butterflies. As this garden needs a lot of water, two irrigation water-tanks can be found close by. Besides its beauty, sweet fragrance and uniqueness, this Garden of Butterflies is also distinguished by its therapeutic properties. It is visible from space as confirmed by satellite photographs.

Beside the butterflies, in this eco centre you can also enjoy the company of numerous animals and participate in various workshops, seminars, fairs and exhibitions.

'Vilinska vrata' ('Fairies’ Doors') in the eco-art centre is open to all admirers of nature that are able to abide by and respect the simple rules of nature. If you want to help this not-for-profit centre and participate in its construction – you are welcome to come here and plant a flower seedling or evergreen seedling that you have purchased as a gift.

Information:

Opening Hours: by appointment
GSM: +385 (0)098 9160650
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.eia.hr

Boškarin

Boškarin, the autochthonous Istrian ox with huge horns, has always been the most important farm animal in Istria. It has been used for plowing and pulling carts, whereas the popular expression boškarin originates from the pet name once commonly used for almost all such oxen.

Every year on St. Jacob's Day - Jakovlja, Kanfanar is the venue for the traditional fair where the best boškarin is chosen. At 5 pm they leave the fairground and pass through Kanfanar, heading towards the cattle scales where each boškarin is weighed. In the nearby small valley each ox tries the skill of ploughing with traditional ploughs, with only one ox, in pairs and even two pairs. After ploughing, cattle return to the fairground where the best ox is chosen, as well as winners in certain disciplines.

Aquarium Pula

Aquarium Pula is located in the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, which was built in 1886 on the peninsula 3 km from the centre of the city of Pula. Transforming the fortress into the aquarium has been in progress since 2002. The installation has been set in about 60 tanks on the ground floor, the moat, and the first floor of the fortress. In an area of approx. 2000 m2 visitors can get acquainted with inhabitants of Northern and Southern Adriatic Sea, tropical marine and freshwater fish and with representatives of European rivers and lakes. From the roof of the fort, a unique view of the entire city of Pula and Istria stretches to the distant horizon, while in the moat you can enjoy refreshments on our summer terrace.

Content:
Fortress Verudela
Fortress with preserved rooms, tunnels and a moat
Roof: Belvedere
Moat with caponiers
Exhibition of photographs with fortresses from Pula
Exhibition of works from the International Fortification Architecture Workshops

Aquarium

Ground floor 
Northern Adriatic flora and fauna
NW caponier: Evolution exhibition with living fossils and reptiles
SE caponier: fish from European rivers and lakes, shelter for red-eared slider turtles, summer terrace, interactive exhibition “The Park of Physics”


1st floor
Southern Adriatic and Mediterranean flora and fauna
Tropical marine
Freshwater fish
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre
Projection of short educational movie “Posidonia oceanica“
Marine chemistry and biology laboratories
Sea horses room

For those who want to know more (during summer season)
Demonstrations of marine biology or chemistry in our laboratories (included in the ticket price, TUE and THU, 11:00 - 12:00)
Viewing during feeding time (included in the ticket price, from MON to FRI; 12:00 - 13:00)
Oceanographic programme “Blue School" on the boat (up to 4 hrs, additional payment is required)



INFO:
T: +385 52 381 402, +385 52 381 403
GSM: +385 91 568 2986
Website: http://www.aquarium.hr/
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Adress: Aquarium Pula, Verudela bb, 52100 Pula


WORKING HOURS:
April, May and September 10.00 – 18.00 h
June - August 09.00 – 22.00 h
October - March 10.00 – 16.00 h

ASTRONOMY

Tears of St. Lawrence

Owing to the low light-pollution of the sky over Istria, astronomy lovers can still enjoy observing the sky here.

Surely the most fascinating sight is around August 12, when the sky is bombarded by prolific meteor showers associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. On August 10 and 11, and especially August 12, the Earth moves through a cloud of dust and steam and these particles collide with the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 200,000 kilometres per hour, boiling off and unleashing a meteor shower in the sky. This occurrence is known among astronomers as the Perseids, but it is commonly referred to as the tears of St. Lawrence since it appears exactly on St. Lawrence's Day.

The Višnjan Observatory is part of the world's system of studying small bodies of the solar system – skywatchers. It is famous for its excellent astronomy school, and ranks among the ten most successful observatories in the world by the number of discovered asteroids.

Information:
Višnjan Observatory
Address: Istarska 5
Postal Code: HR-52463 Višnjan
Phone: +385 (0)52 449212
Fax: +385 (0)52 449212
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.astro.hr

ENTERTAINMENT

Dino Park

Dinopark Funtana is the first amusement and theme park in Croatia where the life-size dinosaurs are the main topic. The remains of dinosaurs have been found in Istria, and thus became part of the story of our peninsula.
Take a journey into the distant past and experience both visually and acoustically these awesome creatures that ruled the earth for millions of years.
Be prepared to meet the scariest creatures of that era.

Adult ticket fee: 100,00 Kn (13,50 €)
Children ticket fee: 80,00 Kn (8,50 €)

Note:
Use of the fun activities for children and all performances are included in the ticket fee.
Taking photos and filming are allowed.
Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Opening hours:
18.05.2011 - 18.09.2011
Everyday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Address: Istarska 16, 52 450 Funtana
T.: +385 (0)52 445 327
F.: +385 (0)52 445 327
GSM.: +385 91 913 6795
E.: www.dinopark.hr

Adrenalin Park Glavani

The novelty of four tall standing poles at Glavani, only four kilometers distance from Barban and ten from Vodnjan, is sure to attract your attention. This theme park is one of Croatia’s largest adrenalin parks.

Its experienced staff will teach you how to wear and use your equipment and how to operate the carabineers and rollers. With their help, you first have to complete the two-meter high yellow route, then the six-meter high blue route, and finally the ten-meter high black route. To boost your adrenalin level even higher, both the blue and the black routes end in a 113-metre zip-line taking you from the first to the last platform.

The park’s 19-metre high polls and platforms are connected by nets and cables. Excellent fun for the whole family awaits you at Glavani, as well as an opportunity to test your boundaries!
Adrenalin Park has been officially tested by the Austrian inspector with the highest EU qualifications and has successfully passed the criteria of European standards for Adrenalin Park.

Requested time: depending on physical preparation, a minimum of 2 hours

Glavani park - location:
On the road Vodnjan (10km) - Barban (6km).
If arriving by road Pula- Labin, upon arrival to the village Manjadvorci follow the road which leads to Glavani. By arriving to Glavani, turn left on the main road, drive 300 meters and you will arrive to Glavani Park.

Working hours:
Every day from 10am – 8pm
If you would like to try all the routes then you need to arrive by 6 pm!

Prices:
training, yellow line, blue line – 100 HRK
training, yellow line, blue line, black line – 120 HRK
zip line– 40 HRK
children, yellow line, blue line (till 10 years) – 50 HRK
children, yellow line, blue line, black line (till 10 years) – 60 HRK

T.: +385 (0)98 224 314 (HR)
T.: +385 (0)91 896 4525 (ENG)
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.glavanipark.com