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Premantura – Promontore “Cape Kamenjak’s paradise”
Premantura is the most southern point of Istria about 16 kilometres far away from Smrikve. Once upon a time it was a small fisherman village but today is more famous for its natural protected park named Cape Kamenjak that lies on a long and narrow peninsula.
- located 16 kilometres from Smrikve
- not to be missed: the beautiful nature on the Cape Kamenjak
PREMANTURA – VIRTUAL TOUR AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
When you arrive in the old part of Premantura, in the middle of the town, you will note the Church of St. Lorence with the bell tower from 1632. There is not much from the old town that remained in Premantura and many new buildings have been built. The real beauty you should look for in Premantura is the Cape Kamenjak.
The untouched coasts of Kamenjak is also named terrae magicae. There are about 500 plant species that testify the great biological diversity and ecologically preserved area. Owing to its enchanting scenary and special features of plant life, which include several orchid species, since 1996 this landscape is under protection.
When you arrive to the southest part of the Cape Kamenjak you will note the island Porer
with 31 meters high lighthouse. This lighthouse, as many other lighthouses in Croatia, also provides tourist
accommodation. You can reach the Cape Kamenjak by car but probably the most enjoyable way would be with the bike. You can
spent all day in exploring its coasts and swimming in its crystal water.
The very old name of Premantura was Acropoli di Pola or Capo di Pola. This was the name used by Strabone and Stefanos from Constantinople. In the 1st century, the Roman Pomponio Mela, named it Promunturium Polaticum. In 1540 was named Promotore by Coppo.
Like most other Istrian towns and villages also the area of Cape Kamenjak was inhabited in prehistoric times. There are four prehistoric hill fort settlements that are known in the area: Kasteljir (Monterosso, 68 meters high hilltop), Gradina (Moncastello, 76 meters high hilltop), Gomila (Rovina, 75 meters high hilltop) and Castril (36 meters high hilltop).
Between Premantura and prehistoric hill fort settlement Gradina there was a Roman village on the coast, located in front of Medulin, named Runtian or Runtianum. In the middle ages on the same site Ronzano or Ronzi settlement was built, later on destroyed at the beginning of the 17th century by Uskoci. Today this area is named Runke.
Premantura in its history followed mostly the destiny of Pula and suffered many plague years. In 1561 several families from Bologna arrived in the area but few years later they returned to Italy.
