Valle d'Istria Square

Valle d'Istria Square is the main public space of Bale, a small hill town in southwestern Istria, known locally as Bale-Valle because both the Croatian and Italian names are used. The town sits on a low rise a few kilometres inland from the coast, between Rovinj and Pula, and it has the layout of a medieval fortified village, with narrow, winding stone lanes that rise toward a central square. Bale has been settled since Roman times, and its elevated position gave a wide view of the countryside and the Adriatic in the distance, which was useful in a region that saw many wars and raids. The square is the centre of public life, a place where residents meet, where events are held and where the visitor arrives after climbing through the old streets.

The square is small, and it has the unforced character of a real village centre. It is framed by stone houses with wooden shutters, a few cafés and shops, and a handful of public buildings, and it gives access to the lanes that lead to the castle, the churches and the viewpoint. Visitors can sit at a table and watch daily life: older residents chatting, children playing, delivery vans squeezing through, and, in the evening, groups of friends gathering for a drink. Unlike the busy resorts on the coast nearby, Bale keeps a quiet, authentic atmosphere, and it is a good place to slow down. Cafés offer coffee and local products, and it is easy to try Istrian olive oil, wine and truffle products in the shops and restaurants.

The town's emblem is a butterfly, which appears in various forms on signs, walls and souvenirs, and which gives the place a gentle and distinctive identity. The Castle of Soardo-Bembo, a fortified palace of the 15th to 17th centuries, stands close to the square and is one of the best-preserved buildings in the town, and the Church of St. Julian and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene add religious architecture. In summer, the programme called Bale's Cultural Summer fills the square and nearby corners with concerts, exhibitions and festivals, and the olive groves and vineyards that cover the surrounding hillsides are open to walking and cycling. The viewpoint on the edge of town gives a long view over the countryside.

There are no admission fees or opening hours for the square, since it is a public space and is accessible at all times, and visitors can park for free in designated areas near the centre and walk in. The streets are cobbled and steep in places, so comfortable shoes are advisable. The experience is one of tranquillity and history, and it offers a peaceful counterpoint to the more commercial resorts of the coast.

The square suits couples, photographers and travellers who enjoy village life and local food. Allow an hour, and combine it with a walk through the old streets, the castle and the olive groves.