Bale is a small town in Istria situated between Pula and Rovinj and 7 km from Adriatic coast. Bale as municipality has population of approximately 1,225 inhabitants.

History of Bale goes back to ancient times. Even before the Romans there was the prehistoric fort. The town historical documents, the remains of Roman buildings, bronze coins and the other facts witnesses that Bale had the role of Roman fortification. The fortress was built with the intention of defending the salt trading traffic between Pula and other Istria towns.
During the Middle Ages fortress has grown in the town with city walls and was in the possession of the Venetian family. Palace, which dates from that time, is the largest tourism attraction of town and the center of the events of social life.

Today, Bale is known as a quiet place offering its visitors rest from big city crowd and rush. The town is situated 7 km from Adriatic coast and the beach there is considered as the cleanest in the area and surrounded with peaceful nature, the real pearl of the west coast of Istria. Good and wide road from town quickly reaches the sea, through forests, olive groves and vineyards which leads to the magnificent coastline.

Municipality of Bale offers to the guests two campsite on the coast. In town guests can stay in private rooms or apartments. In the old medieval town is a post office, bank, medical clinic, cafe, bar and grocery shop. Lovers of good cuisine can choose between the restaurants, which offer excellent Istria dishes.

The prominent cultural events of town include: Castrum Vallis - an art exhibition of well-known artists in July and August; Bale Night, first Saturday in August with folk festival and local culinary specialties; and The Assumption of Mary, 15 August as traditional event.

What to see in Bale

Saint Julian Church
It is the parochial church built in 1880 as a huge building of white stone. The church was founded on the ruins of the basilica from the 9th century and part of the crypt has been preserved and can be visited. Inside is a sarcophagus from the 8th century.

Kastel Bembo
Fortified castle first belonged to the family Soardo. From the old castle has been preserved only two side square towers connected by a bridge once, and when the bridge was no longer usable, during the 15th century family Soardo built in-between the housing. The castle has beautiful Gothic-Renaissance front, completely unchanged.

The Old Town
After the town was nearly deserted it is again nowadays inhabited mostly by the people who have reconstructed these old houses into vacation resorts.
There are inhabited and deserted houses in the town, interesting underpasses and round streets, and other numerous reminders of historical time.

Recently along coast near town were founded fossil remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Now is plan to open town museum to keep end display this interesting foundlings.