Novigrad is developed on the small island, which in the 18th century was joined to the mainland. During its past, different ruling administrations, such as the Byzantine, Frank, German, Venetian, Napolean, Austro-Hungarian and Italian have left their mark on this town. The town walls are from the 13th century, and inside the town are besides the church of Saint Mary, Maximillian and Pelagija with elements of romanesque are early Christian basillicas of the famous Rigo palace and a few gothic houses and town lodges. And the newly built 1st category Nautica marina, attracts a large number of sailors with its facilities.
Novigrad is a tourist and fishermen's town of long and rich history. You can enjoy sports, swimming and sunbathing, or sightseeing in the preserved medieval old town. The old town was once surrounded by the walls that were built during Venetian rule, in the 13th century. On the sea shore by to the walls there is one of the most beautiful loggias in Istria and the only one by the sea.
Famous Rigo Gallery, located in the eponymous palace, one of the most famous exhibition spaces for modern art in Istria. Each year, it organizes seven exhibitions of famous artists from Croatia and abroad. The grand parish Church of St Maximilian and Pelagius was built in the 6th century as the cathedral and seat of the Novigrad diocese.
Early Romanesque crypt is behind the main altar, the only one in Istria and among the rare few in Croatia. The museum-gallery scene, currently including the Lapidarium Museum, Gallerion and Rigo Gallery, exceeds the size of the town, which is no wonder, since one of the objectives of Novigrad is to be a town-museum. The Lapidarium museum displays a very valuable collection of Antique and Medieval monuments. And the Museum of Austro-Hungarian Navy is located in the old town and contains interesting exhibits that testify to a time when the Austro-Hungarian navy, in which numerous Croats served, sailed the Adriatic. You can see naval sabers and guns, models of ships and sailboats, maps, flags and various books and documents.
