Mediterranean food heritage in Rovinj

The Mediterranean diet on the Croatian Adriatic, its coast, islands, and part of the hinterland is conditioned by ecological, climatic, historical, and cultural factors of the Mediterranean. This type of diet is manifested in the social, spiritual, and material spheres of everyday life, as well as in the customs of the life and annual cycle. 

Rovinj’s food heritage, a treasured bead in the Mediterranean diet’s collar

The Mediterranean diet on the Croatian Adriatic, its coast, islands, and part of the hinterland is conditioned by ecological, climatic, historical, and cultural factors of the Mediterranean. This type of diet is manifested in the social, spiritual, and material spheres of everyday life, as well as in the customs of the life and annual cycle. The Mediterranean diet is the basis of the identity of the people who live in that area, and is the product of various cultures and influences, which are continuously passed down from generation to generation. 
 

It is also unique due to the formation of a cultural identity specific to the Croatian Adriatic, its coast, islands, and part of the hinterland, which is mostly manifested in customs and rituals and speech. The Mediterranean diet model is the basis of the entire culinary system of the coast, islands, and part of the hinterland. The mutual connection between natural resources and human needs, and consequently also human skills, is reflected in the diet of the inhabitants. Living in harmony with nature is the basis of such a life and diet. Diet differs between individual places and social strata and can be divided into fisherman's (except in the hinterland) and peasant’s food, or a combination of them. The basis of this diet is reduced to the use of certain foods, the preparation of meals, and their symbolic meaning. (adapted from this link) 
 

Since its beginnings, the Association House of batana approached the safeguarding and preservation of maritime culture in a holistic and participative manner, understanding that a boat is not only an object but a means of livelihood which is directly connected with nature. This was achieved through the ecomuseological concept. 
 

The sea landscape has for centuries guided Rovinj’s people to development of economic and social relations with the blueness that surrounds them. To conquer this rich world, they had to build a boat that would fit the shallows of the Rovinj archipelago and be versatile for the application of various traditional fishing methods. This endeavour is best described by the phrase used in Rovinj: Bòne da bàti màr! (Good to win the sea!)
 

Batana’s construction characteristics made it suitable for small-scale coastal fishing or as support to larger boats during group fishing. It can be said that the batana has fed numerous families in Rovinj for centuries. Today, the batana can be used for fishing with traps, gillnets, fishing lines, spears, long lines, jigs and other tools used in small-scale fishing.
 

The Traditional Adriatic Fishing Skills, Beliefs and Customs were acknowledged as intangible cultural heritage in 2016, pursuant to the Act on Cultural Asset Protection and Preservation.
 

In 2005, a year after its opening, the Ecomuseum was enriched with another physical space where the food heritage could be experienced.  Spacio Matika, an ancient wine cellar where fishermen used to spend their time socialising after the hard work at sea, became the place to experience the tastes, smells and the singing of the local maritime heritage. 
 

Ecomuseum Batana is dedicated to the active safeguarding of local food heritage based on networking and experience sharing with other local stakeholders in order to promote locally produced food shaped by our tradition.

This pilot is realised by : 

Leading partner: Batana

Associated partners: 
The City of Rovinj - Rovigno and Istrian Tourism Development Agency