Welcome Summer: My Summer Solstice in Medulin, Between Ana Rucner’s Music and the Sunset at Vižula

An evening in Istria, surrounded by history, nature, and music, to bid farewell to spring and welcome summer in the most beautiful way possible.

There are evenings that end and leave behind nothing more than a few lovely photographs. And then there are evenings that stay with you. The kind that, once you're back home, make you sit quietly for a moment and think, “Yes, I’ll remember this one for a long time.”

Last night’s summer solstice was exactly that kind of evening.

I was in Medulin, Istria, and had decided to walk to the Vižula Archaeological Park. It’s a walk I would genuinely recommend to anyone spending a few days in this area during the summer. Leaving the waterfront and beaches behind, you gradually enter a fragrant pine forest crossed by a white gravel path that seems to guide visitors into another dimension.

The walk alone is worth it.

The sun was beginning to set, the light was becoming softer, and the scent of Mediterranean vegetation mingled with the sea breeze. In moments like these, it becomes clear why Istria always manages to win over those who visit.

And then there is Vižula.

It is not simply an archaeological park. It is a place where history and nature coexist in perfect harmony. This peninsula preserves traces of human presence spanning millennia, from the Neolithic period to Roman times, but its most precious treasure is a large Roman villa overlooking the sea, one of the most important in the eastern Adriatic. Walking among the remains of ancient walls, mosaics, and terraces that once overlooked the bay, it is easy to imagine the life that flourished here nearly two thousand years ago. Even today, among the pine trees and the sea, there is something undeniably special in the air.

When I arrived, the atmosphere was already magical.

The event had been organized to celebrate the summer solstice and, something I found wonderful, it was completely free.

A small bar had been set up among the trees where visitors could enjoy wines, cocktails, and snacks, but the best surprise came shortly afterward. Participants were offered three complimentary glasses of local wine, accompanied by a truly engaging guided tasting.

Not the usual technical explanation that often intimidates those who are not wine experts.

No.

Here, the wine was told as a story.

Each winery, each producer, each territory came to life through the words of the narrator who, with genuine and never excessive theatricality, guided us on a journey through vineyards, Istria’s red soil, sea breezes, and family traditions. As I listened, I realized that we were not simply tasting wine: we were getting to know a territory.

There is another thing that struck me about the evening.

I had arrived alone.

I hadn’t planned the outing with friends, nor did I have any particular appointment. I had simply decided to be there.

And yet, I never felt alone for even a minute.

Perhaps because the atmosphere was so welcoming that it immediately made you feel part of something. Perhaps because of the smiles exchanged during the tasting, the conversations overheard in different languages, or simply because some places have the power to make you feel comfortable the moment you arrive.

I had also promised myself that I wouldn’t drink. I wanted to capture beautiful footage and enjoy the evening with complete clarity.

Then the wines arrived, and my curiosity won.

How could I possibly resist tasting wines that were being presented with such passion?

So I allowed myself to join the tasting, and I must admit it was absolutely worth it. Beyond the quality of the wines, I loved the way each glass told a piece of Istria’s story and the story of the people who live and work there every day.

Meanwhile, the sun continued its slow descent toward the sea.

Around me were families, friends, children, couples, locals, and tourists. And perhaps that was what impressed me the most. I could hear Italian, Croatian, Slovenian, German, and English being spoken. People from different places, sharing the same sunset for one evening.

Some were sitting on the Roman ruins, others lying on the grass, some chatting quietly, while others simply gazed out at the sea.

Even from the bay, it was clear that something special was happening. Several boats had anchored offshore to enjoy the concert from the water, while a group arriving by canoe had found their own privileged spot in front of the natural stage created by the peninsula.

Meanwhile, we were all waiting for her.

Ana Rucner.

As punctual as the sunset itself, at 8:45 PM the concert began.

Shortly before the start, we were invited to remain silent. No applause between pieces, no interruptions, just listening.

The organizers distributed eye masks to those who wished to experience the performance in a more immersive way. Such a simple gesture, yet incredibly powerful.

I tried it myself for a few moments.

When you remove sight, the other senses suddenly seem amplified: the cicadas, the wind, the gentle sound of the waves, the notes of the cello.

And so the journey began.

A journey accompanying the transition from spring to summer.

As Ana played, the sky changed color minute by minute. From gold to red, from orange to pink, then purple, and finally the deep blue of night. The last rays of sunlight gave way to the first stars, and we, hundreds of people, remained there in astonishing silence.

Adults and children alike. Still. Present. Immersed in the same moment.

There was one particular moment I will carry with me.

When Ana began playing Le Carnaval des Animaux, something changed.

Perhaps it was the sky, now almost completely painted in the colors of dusk. Perhaps it was the absolute silence surrounding us. Perhaps it was the intensity of her cello.

I only know that I got goosebumps.

The real kind.

And being terribly emotional by nature, I even found myself with a tear slipping down my cheek without permission.

As always, I felt slightly embarrassed.

I lowered my gaze, smiled to myself, and simply let the moment happen.

Because, after all, isn’t that exactly what we seek when we travel?

Not simply to see new places, but to experience emotions capable of surprising us when we least expect them.

I cannot remember many occasions when I have seen so many people share silence so naturally.

It felt as though time had stopped.

As though the music, the sea, the pine forest, and the ancient Roman stones were all telling the same story.

The story of a summer just beginning.

This year marked the fourth edition of the event, and I can say without hesitation that initiatives like this deserve much more attention. Not only because of the quality of the performance, but because they demonstrate how culture can truly be accessible to everyone.

No ticket. No barriers. Just the desire to be there.

When the concert ended, the applause came all at once—long, heartfelt, and sincere.

Like one great collective thank you.

Some people headed home.

Others chose to stay a little longer, enjoying one last glass of wine while music played softly through the speakers.

I slowly walked back to my hotel, smiling to myself.

Partly because the first song played after the concert was Felicità by Albano.

And anyone who has spent time in Croatia knows very well how beloved Italian songs from past decades still are here.

For this occasion, I chose to stay at Hotel Holiday by Arena Hospitality Group, right in Medulin. It proved to be an especially convenient choice, allowing me to walk to the event and return without needing a car.

The hotel is located near one of the few sandy beaches in the area, a rather unusual feature for Istria, and it is perfect for those who enjoy alternating beach days, walks, and holiday relaxation. There is also a swimming pool, and like many Arena properties, it warmly welcomes four-legged friends.

Medulin itself is a lively and highly touristic destination. Restaurants, bars, bike rentals, excursions, sports activities, and services are plentiful, making it an ideal base for exploring southern Istria.

For anyone interested in staying at Arena properties, I would like to mention that by using the code “MISSCLAIRE,” it is possible to obtain special conditions on hotels, campsites, and glamping accommodations within the group.

And if you are planning a holiday here, I also recommend checking Medulin’s events calendar on their official website. Throughout the summer, concerts, cultural events, and many other interesting activities are organized.

As for me, I am taking home the memory of an evening that tasted of life’s simplest pleasures.

A sunset, a glass of wine, music, the sea, people, and that wonderful feeling of having witnessed something that did not need to be extraordinary in order to become unforgettable.

Happy Summer, 2026.

May it be as bright and surprising as the sunset that welcomed its arrival last night.

Collab Tourist Board of Medulin Municipality