Vrsar, Istria County, Croatia

🇭🇷 Vrsar (Orsera) is a small seaside town and a municipality in Istria, Croatia located 9 km south of Poreč. The historical centre is located on top of a hill, including the St. Martin parish church and the 40-meter high bell tower. In the 20th century, the town expanded down the hill, into the surrounding area. It is a popular summer destination with large campsites, private accommodation units and a modern marina. It is the home of the large Koversada Naturist Campsite, the oldest in Istria.

Municipality The municipality consists of Vrsar as the largest settlement and 8 villages in the interior, including Begi, Bralići, Delići, Flengi, Gradina, Kloštar, Kontešići and Marasi. Funtana, the nearby coastal town, was a part of the Vrsar municipality until 2006. Town council has 11 representatives elected every four years. Local government is based in a refurbished historical building in the central Degrassi Square.

Demographics According to the 2021 census, its population was 1,923. with 1,535 living in the town proper. It was 2,162 in 2011.

History Vrsar was part of the Republic of Venice (1420-1797), then of the French Kingdom of Italy firstly, and Illyrian Provinces till 1814. After the fall of Napoleon, it was part of the Austrian Littoral up to 1915 then became part of Kingdom of Italy (1918–1947) after which it was part of Yugoslavia until 1991 when incorporated in the Republic of Croatia.

Naturist Park The Koversada Naturist Park is located 2 km south of Vrsar. It has over 1100 camping emplacements, 350 with their own water and 600 with internet connections. It is situated in ninety hectares of olive groves on the shore and on a tiny island. It is linked to the town by a tourist train.