Vrsar adventures of Giacomo Casanova

Vrsar, a town located on a hillside peninsula with a view over the scattered islets, today emanates a scenic cosmopolitanism of Istrian places. However, Vrsar’s feudal arrangement in the past was antique and particularly rigid which is why it did not fit into the new trends adopted by its county. It remained on the margins of society at the time - somewhat secretive, mystical, with extremely strict rules. In the mid 18th century the town was visited by Giacomo Casanova, the world’s most famous seducer. His first visit occurred in August 1743. At that time Casanova was a regular, inconspicuous and poor priest who accidentally came to Vrsar where he spent three days. On his way back to his homeland, he wrote just a few words about the place he visited in his memoirs. However, destiny played its role and Casanova, travelling from the Venetian islet of Malamocca, returned to our Vrsar.

In fact, his vessel had to pick up ballast and anchored in the port there. In 1744, Casanova was no longer an unpresentable priest, but a self-confident man in rich and glamorous clothes, sure that no one would recognise him. But, what had happened in Vrsar? We know that this time he came back home with a number of adventures and a tumultuous affair with a local girl, don Girolamo’s servant. Take a walk through the Vrsar’s marvellous alleys and panoramic views and figure out how the mischievous Casanova loved a girl in spite of Vrsar’s strict rules during that period…