The old town nucleus lies on a conical promontory which was until 1763 part of a coastal islet. In the 18th century the channel was filled up, so the town was connected with the mainland. At that time Rovinj-Rovigno was the most densely populated town in the Venetian part of Istria after Kopar. It is one of the most picturesque Istrian coastal towns. Its characteristic town structure developed throughout the Middle Ages, so the arrangement of streets of the medieval town has been preserved.