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Development

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Spain / Barcelona / Culture and Tourism / Development

These elements will crown the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for the highest viewpoint in the city

The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death

Sep 20, 2024 17:36

Economy and Finance

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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47
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Germany / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Next year, Germany's Deutschlandticket will cost 58 euros

That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass

Sep 24, 2024 13:27

Politics and Reforms

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Germany / Politics and Reforms

Voters in a Bavarian town elected a mayor whose name wasn’t on the ballot

Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality, even if he didn’t run

Sep 18, 2024 13:50
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Greece / Athens / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

Athens to ban new short-term lets

The measure, which will come into force from 1 January 2025, will be partial and temporary…for now

Sep 17, 2024 16:22

Innovation and Research

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Finland / Innovation and Research

AI-powered drones in Finland could patrol the skies in search of wildfires

But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation

Sep 20, 2024 16:33

Digital transformation

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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09
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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47

Energy efficiency

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09

Mobility

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Germany / Mobility

Mannheim debuts longest tram in the world

Plus, it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train

Sep 27, 2024 17:03

Public Spaces

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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France / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Marseille is home to this year's coolest neighbourhood in the world

Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds

Sep 26, 2024 17:37

Culture and Tourism

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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Spain / Culture and Tourism

Oldest inn in Catalonia marked 500 years of non-stop business

Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region

Sep 30, 2024 16:57

Education and Sport

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Budapest / Prague / Education and Sport / Social City

Here are Europe’s 5 best student cities

On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors

Sep 19, 2024 17:47
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Education and Sport

Kicking for the Future: How Football Clubs are Creating Sustainable Urban Spaces

Sep 19, 2024 10:06

Welfare and Health

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Belgium / Mobility / Welfare and Health

Shhh!: Belgian railways introduce silent compartments on board

Following a successful trial phase, these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country

Sep 24, 2024 18:04
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France / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Check out these sleeping pods at the University of Lille library

The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students

Sep 12, 2024 16:24
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Poland / Interviews

Hanna Zdanowska: We are one of the leaders in eco-transition and Łódź is much greener than before

Jul 24, 2024 14:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh: True urban development must be inclusive and affordable, otherwise it’s not sustainable

Jun 27, 2024 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Portugal / Lisbon / Interviews

Carlos Moedas: Our ambition is to become a city where entrepreneurs can come to scale their businesses

Jun 20, 2024 13:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Spain / Interviews / Mayor of Europe

María José Catalá: the Green Capital mindset is transversal to all action levels and will continue in the years to come

Jun 5, 2024 15:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Estonia / Tartu / Interviews

Urmas Klaas: Arts can and must give people the ability and courage to dream of a future

Mar 6, 2024 12:18
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Wolfgang Teubner: Тhe path towards the end of fossil fuels is irreversible

Dec 21, 2023 11:03
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Ibrahim Kraria: While AI can play a role in combating hate speech, it can also amplify its spread

Aug 16, 2023 17:08
Mihaela Roxana GODINAC
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Interviews

Bertrand Piccard: If something looks impossible, that’s why we try do to it!

Jun 9, 2023 15:40
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Maja Sever: Journalism is a pillar of democracy

Apr 10, 2023 13:46
Magdalena Magdić
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Interviews

Kaisa Karjalainen: “It’s better to be an imperfect zero waster for the rest of our lives than a perfect one for two weeks”

Mar 14, 2023 12:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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Croatia
Rovinj-Rovigno  image

Rovinj-Rovigno

Rovinj-Rovigno
Marko Paliaga
Mayor

Marko Paliaga

Biography
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The first mention of Rovinj as Castrum Rubini, as far as it is known dates back to 5th century. According to archaeological findings, the surroundings of today's Rovinj were inhabited in prehistoric times - the Bronze and Iron Ages, when the Histrian culture flourished in Istria and lived there and traded with the Greeks and Etruscans.

After the peaceful rule of the Roman Empire and before the invasions of the Visigoths, Huns, Goths and Byzantines, the ancient Romans, in search of security, inhabited the islands of Mons Albanus, Sv. Katerina, Sv. Andrew and Ciss.

After Byzantine rule, Rovinj came first under the rule of the Lombards and then under the Franks. In feudal Istria, Rovinj lost most of the autonomy of the ancient Roman municipalities, but as an important city, as evidenced by the fact that it participated as a castrum in 804 at the Rižana Assembly, it managed to get some relief.

13th-14th century 

In the 13th century, Rovinj has repeatedly clashed with the western Istrian cities of Piran and Koper.

In that period, the Serenissima was gaining in strength and wanted to turn the northern Adriatic and the Gulf of Venice and Istria into its shield. Along with other Istrian towns, Rovinj estimated that this strong naval power would be the protector of its trade and maritime interests, and, following the example of Poreč, Novigrad and Umag, in 1283 it sided with Venice. And this is where the long reign of Venice begins.

The Venetian Republic ostensibly grants communal freedom, but reserves the right to nominate the podium, which was in charge of church, political, administrative, commercial and other affairs. Rovinj's self-government was limited and only a small number of privileged families were allowed to participate in the citizens' council. The judges, elected by the council, exercised civil and criminal authority in addition to the podestà.

Already at the beginning of the 15th century, Rovinj had its statute divided into three documents: the first refers to the organization of administration, the second regulates civil relations, possessions, land, livestock, grazing, and the third violations, fines, taxes.

The Venetian economy was mostly commercial, so in Rovinj, with the growth of trade, there were typical urban changes. Along with the already existing fishermen and farmers, craftsmen, merchants and sailors also began to appear.

In the 14th century the first guilds were founded: landowners and farmers, sailors, stonemasons, fishermen's associations, etc. Maritime affairs developed rapidly, there was competition from cities and even armed conflicts.

Venice clashed with Genoa, which in 1379 devastated and conquered Rovinj. They even stole the bones of its protector from the sarcophagus, which were returned in 1401.

Central Istria was in the possession of the counts of Goričko and  with their fall in 1374, much like the county of Pazin, it came under the rule of the Habsburgs

Middle Ages

The Middle Ages brought another great plague disaster. Rovinj, however, was partly spared due to the favorable climate.

Before the Ottoman incursions, the coastal parts of Istria were inhabited by refugees from central Istria, Bosnia, Dalmatia and even from Greece and Albania, and the number of inhabitants in Rovinj was growing rapidly. There were also settlers from northern Italy as well. The city in 1595 had 2800 inhabitants, in 1650 about 5000, in 1741. 7966 and in 1775 even 13788.

In the 17 and 18 centuries. Rovinj was the strongest shipbuilding, fishing and maritime center of Istria, and the most important source for extracting white and gray stone.

When Austria, in 1719, declared Rijeka and Trieste free ports, the situation for Rovinj, until then one of the leading maritime cities on the west coast of Istria, worsened.

The Grand Council of the Venetian Republic abdicated on 12 May 1797 and in Rovinj, democratic rule stabilized. This self-government was maintained during the short Austrian rule until 1805 and then during the time of French reign.

In 1813, the Austrians, again in power, dismantled all of Napoleon's laws and abolished Illyrian institutions. Rovinj, which was confirmed the status of a city in 1821, between 1825 and 1860 belonged to the Istrian region, which, with the Imperial Patent of February 26, 1861, became an independent province with the status of margraviate and its National Assembly. Istria was divided into county captaincies, ie court districts, including Rovinj.

During the Austro-Hungarian rule, Rovinj developed in industrial, maritime and cultural terms. In 1816, public lighting was introduced.

With the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Rovinj came under Italian rule, which lasted until the capitulation of Italy.

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  • en
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Rovinj-Rovigno / Interviews

Rovinj-Rovigno is a place where past, present and future intertwine in a juncture of ancient traditions and modern solutions

Interview with Marko Paliaga, Mayor of Rovinj-Rovigno in Croatia

Oct 26, 2020 07:55
Monika Dimitrova
  • en
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Rovinj-Rovigno / Culture and Tourism

Rovinj named top Croatian Tourist Destination for 2019

Mayor Paliaga congratulated all the citizens and visitors of the Istrian town

Oct 10, 2019 12:46
Monika Dimitrova
  • en
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Rovinj-Rovigno / Culture and Tourism

Motovun, Rovinj and Krk are finalists in European Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards

The winners will be announced on 24 October in Granda, Spain

Sep 26, 2019 08:43
Monika Dimitrova

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