THIS YEAR'S SERIES OF ECOLOGICAL PROJECTS ORGANIZED BY ROVINJ’S TOURIST BOARD STARTED WITH HANDING OUT OF JUJUBE, FIG AND POMEGRANATE SEEDLINGS

For seven years in a row now, the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj has been starting its spring series of ecological projects by handing out seedlings of local fruit species in cooperation with Skink, a company engaged in the production of seedlings, horticultural landscaping and professional assistance in the field of agriculture. The citizens of Rovinj, already accustomed to receiving these special gifts allowing them to embellish their gardens and balconies, did not spare time or effort and had already been patiently waiting for their new seedlings almost an hour and a half before the handing out started.

And reasons for waiting in line patiently were abundant. As many as 500 tree seedlings were handed out this year! Namely, 200 fig, 200 jujube and 100 pomegranate seedlings. The seedlings were grabbed away by the satisfied citizens of Rovinj in only three minutes.

The fig (Ficus Carica), locally known as smokva, is a highly valued southern fruit type. It symbolizes life, peace, well-being and fertility. The fig is the food of hermits and a holy tree in many traditions. Romans believed that Romulus and Remus were born under a fig tree, whereas Adam and Eve made body coverings from fig leaves. In folk medicine, figs are used to treat constipation, toothache, swellings, tumors, coughs, warts, throat infections, ulcers and pus-filled abscesses. In terms of habitat, the fig is not a very demanding tree. It is a wild-growing plant that thrives between rocks and walls, and it can also be cultivated. The fig is a deciduous tree or shrub with a widely branched treetop and can grow over 1.5m in diameter. Its bark is ash-gray, light and smooth as well as rich in thick milky juice just like all other parts of the plant. The pear-shaped and meaty fruits are produced from female blossoms. They differ in size, are smooth on the surface and, when ripe, usually yellow or brown, sometimes purple or dark. There are about 50 types of cultivated figs considering the type of fruit. The real fruits are tiny hard-shelled nuts. The fig fruit is juicy and sweet, a rich natural source of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B6 and potassium. It contains a low level of fat and a high level of fibers. It provides far more fibers than any other fruit or vegetable. The healing properties of figs are also abundant.

The pomegranate (Punica Granatum), locally known as nar, šipak or mogranj, belongs to the group of old plants that were already cultivated in ancient times. Over the centuries, it symbolized fertility, eternal life and hope in various cultures. The pomegranate was used in rituals of various peoples. It originated in Ancient Persia, the slopes of the Himalayas, Afghanistan and India, wherefrom it later spread to the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, the pomegranate was used by people traveling through deserts in caravans because of its thirst-satisfying juice. The main pomegranate-cultivating nations are Egypt, China, Afghanistan, Iran and India. The pomegranate tree is an attractive tree that grows up to 6m. It is long-lasting like vine, both being blessed plants. Pomegranates thrive in sunny areas. There are today 17 types of pomegranate in the world. In Rovinj, the pomegranate symbolizes fertility, wealth and luxury of the city and its citizens. The pomegranate can be used to make juice, syrup or marmalade. It is good for throat, lungs and bronchi. It alleviates coughing and is good for the bile. It is also rich in vitamins C and A and potassium, which is beneficial to the cardio-vascular system. Pomegranate juice alleviates the effects of stress, reduces the level of bad cholesterol, cleanses blood vessels and helps treat heart diseases.

The jujube (Zizyphus Jujuba), locally known as žižula, žižola or čičimak, is a very interesting tree by its shape. It has bowed, slightly hanging and bended branches, more or less covered with sharp thorns. Fully ripe jujube fruits can be consumed in September and October when they get color, mature, their skin wrinkles and their meat softens. The jujube fruit has a long pit. The meat is white-yellow and has a pleasant sour-sweet taste. The fruits are consumed fresh or dried. The fruits are also used to make marmalade, juice or brandy. If you put jujube fruits in the brandy, you will get a very special drink. Due to high levels of beneficial ingredients and vitamin C, the fruit of the jujube tree is used to reduce blood pressure and treat stomach and intestinal disorders. The leaves, bark and body are used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce various medicines and teas.

TURISTIČKA ZAJEDNICA ROVINJ COMUNITA' TURISTICA DI ROVIGNO