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Labin |
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Labin is one of Istria's most interesting hilltop towns and easy to reach. (see Labin on a map of Istria ) In fact, Labin is divided into two parts: the old town which is a network of winding cobblestone streets overlooking the Kvarner coast and a new town which contains most shops and services at the bottom of the hill. There's no beach in Labin but it's only a short distance from Rabac, a busy tourist resort, 5km to the south. Find out more about staying in Rabac. Sightseeing in LabinA gritty coal-mining industry seems incongruous with Labin's quaintly restored pastel houses. Yet, mining was pursued with such fervour that the hilltop town began to collapse some 40 years ago. Fully repaired, the town now honours its mining past in the Town Museum, which contains a model of the former working coal mine. In the tunnels, you'll find coal mining paraphernalia that transports you back to the booming mining era. Spend a few minutes in the claustrophobic tunnels and you'll find myriad reasons not to be a coal miner. The rest of the town is a fascinating locale to explore, displaying a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture in a number of Venetian palaces and churches. Climb up the winding narrow streets to the fortress, Fortica, on top of the town for a panoramic view of rocky Cres Island and the resort of Rabac, (three miles or five kilometres) below. Getting to LabinLabin is an easy day trip from Pula which is less than an hour's drive away. Or, you could take one of the hourly buses. There are also about five buses a day from Rijeka. See Autotrans for the schedule and more about getting around Croatia by bus. Or, you could rent a car in Pula. Tourist Information in Labin
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