Historical background to Vrsar

     Novi Vinodolski, the town on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, has a long history and ancient ruins on the Osap hill stand as a constant reminder of the turbulent events that shaped this town.

     Remains of the ancient Roman culture were also found in the area of Novi Vinodolski. The Lopar fortification was built on the coast and the inscription containing the name of Jelena, mother of czar Constantin, was found in the fortification which was just another proof of Roman life in the area of Novi Vinodolski.

     Arrival of Slavs, during the 7th century, on the territory of Novi Vinodolski marked a significant change in the life of local population.

     The town of Novi Vinodolski was governed by Austro-Hungarian Monarchy by a certain period of time but in the 13th century the czars of Krk (czars were from the famous Frankopan family) took control over the town and they had built the New City (Novi Grad).

     The rule of the Krk czars lasted from the 13th century well into the 17th century, and during that period, in 1288 to be more specific, "The Vinodol Code" was written using Glagolitic alphabet (Glagoljica). After the Frankopan family lost its power in Novi Vinodolski and Turks started to infiltrate the territory of Croatia, economy in Novi Vinodolski rapidly decreased and the fact that, at the time, the town of Novi Vinodolski was ruled by the Venetian Republic certainly made the already difficult situation even worse.

     During the 15th century Novi Vinodolski became the part of the Habsburg Monarchy and two bishops, bishop Ježić and bishop Kabalin, of the town Senj help Novi Vinodolski on its way to prosperity. In fact Novi Vinodolski had a first Croatian library (19th century); the road towards the town of Ogulin also help tourism and enabled Novi Vinodolski to become an important junction.

     Nineteen century life in Novi Vinodolski was also marked by the great number of intellectuals living there and Ivan Mazuranic – first Croatian viceroy and governor, vice-president of Croatian parliament as well as a well known poet and writer- is certainly most important.

     Even though both World Wars made much damage to the area of Novi Vinodolski the town and its people managed to recuperate and continue with their tourist tradition. After the fall of Yugoslavia, the town of Novi Vinodolski became a part of the Republic of Croatia.