Historical background to Istria
Istria was named after the Illyrian tribe of Histri. It is said that they came on these areas because of water, settling the regions from the Timava River to Mount Učka and the Raša River respectively. The custom of incineration appeared in 11th century BC and represents one of the typical characteristics of the culture of pre-historic tribe of Histri.
From times immemorial, specially because of its strategic importance (the exit to the Mediterranean from Central Europe), numerous invaders tried to conquer Istria and thus left their traces not only throughout Europe, but throughout Istria as well. It can be said that all European history "walked" on the grounds of Istria through the contact of three European civilizations – Roman, German and Slavic.