The stony town of Bale, which dates back to the Roman times, is one of the favourite tourist destinations in Istria. This preserved area has managed to avoid all forms of devastation while its virginal beauty oozes with natural riches, untouched nature and rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The Bale fort once protected the merchant path between Pula and the inland of Istria. In the middle ages this Roman town was fortified with walls, and it was first mentioned as Castrum Vallis (Valle) in 965. The Roman Castrum Vallis is today a town whose historical core is located 145 m above the sea level, surrounded by hills. The Italian name Bala – Valle means valley.
Passing through the Bale borough`s most southern part is the 45th parallel, which means that the town is located in the most ideal place – half way between the Equator and the North Pole. The average yearly temperature in Bale is 14 degrees Celsius and there are 2400 hours of sunshine a year on average, which attracts many tourists to this area.
The peace and quiet of the town`s stony streets can almost be heard. This is just one of the reasons that Bale - a pearl surrounded with greenery - should be visited.
In Bale, sightseeing of the Gothic-Renaissance castle Soardo-Bembo can be enjoyed as well as a visit to the tower from the 19th century in the town centre and the city hall with a lodge from the 14th century can also be peeked into…
This is a typical small Istrian town built on a hill, with narrow streets and stone houses from the 14th and 15th centuries. The town centre is protected by law. The fossil remains of several dinosaur species that were found in the nearby bay of Colone are a special attraction of the town.
The pleasant climate, the untouched nature, private apartments, galleries and the rich gastronomic offer provide ideal conditions for a holiday in Bale, which are located in the southwest of the Istrian peninsula, between the cities of Rovinj and Vodnjan.
The Tourist Board of the Istrian County
www.istra.hr
The Tourist Board of Bale
www.bale-valle.hr
www.istria-bale.com