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Although archeological findings indicate the prehistorical activities in Valbandon area, the name Valbandon is related to medieval Italian term «vala abandonata» - abandoned valley.

The whole area was deserted due to several plague epidemics. The new settlement appeared in the middle of the 19th century. According to Istrian land registry, in 1910 in Valbandon there were 23 households with a total of 102 inhabitants. At the same time on the nearby Stancija Barbo there were 9 families with 37 members.

Family names mentioned in the register were as follows: Agosto, Bašić, Brgić (Berghi), Carlin, Chersin, Climan, D'Agosto, Dalena, Demori, Draghissich (Draghessi), Ganghini, Grbac, Hrelja, Ilić (Gilli), Marincovich (Marini), Nesich, Piljan, Ravnić, Rojnić, Sorbola, Zenzerović, Zorzella. The descendants of some of them have been living in Valbandon ever since.

FROM THE FISH PROCESSING PLANT TO THE FIRST HOTEL IN VALBANDON

At the beginning of the 20th century in the coastal area of Valbandon there was a fish processing and ice making plant. It seems that the plant was not profitable enough, and so led to the idea of tourist orientation, which was at the time beginning to develop in certain destinations of the "Austrian Riviera", especially Brijuni, Opatija and Lovran, Mali and Veli Lošinj, as well as Portorož.

Berlin entrepreneurs Gustav Klink, Emil Lauer and Jacob Cumar, owners of the already mentioned plant soon obtained, from the Ministry of the Interior, with the consent of the Ministry of Trade and Public Works, the necessary permit for converting the processing plant into a tourist facility.

So, in 1911 the stock company Valbandon Erholungsheim und Seebad Aktiengeselschaft (Valbandon – vacation center and seaside resort, stock company) was founded. The company was based in Trieste.

The stock company had a capital of 45000 crowns divided into 2250 stocks of 200 crowns each. The company Statute was also approved. Payments for stocks could be made at the Bank of Styria. The company president was the (former) minister of railroads Emil Freiherr von Guttenberg from Graz.

Pula, a city that has existed for three thousand years, is situated in the south of the Istrian peninsula. The town has beautiful beaches spread over nearly one hundred miles of beautiful and indented coastline.

If you visit Pula, you will hear whispers about a story of mythical Argonauts, Romans, Venetians, Franks and the time of the Austrian and Hungarian Empire. The city-museum will enchant you with its buildings and monuments preserved from bygone times: the Arch of the Sergi, Temple of Augustus, Gate of Hercules...

In Pula you will enjoy excellent restaurants, and on the most beautiful stage in the world, in the Arena under the stars, during the summer you can listen to some of the most famous names from the world of music.

The most renowned event is the International film festival, one of the most spectacular ones in Europe, which is held in the open air.

The view of the Pula region is framed by the Brijuni National Park, a gem in Istria's natural heritage. With its fourteen islands and islets of exceptional beauty, safari park, the remains of Roman villas and forts in the Brijuni Park are a wonderful blend of nature and culture.

Source: Croatian National Tourist Board