Grisia Street Standouts -- Rovinj's main street is really a steep, cobbled passageway that runs from the main square all the way up to St. Euphemia Church. It is lined with shops and galleries and buildings that still sport vestiges of the town's medieval roots. Galerija Peti-Bozic at no. 22 is one of the most pleasant and most interesting. This tiny shop specializes in Croatian naive art created by Marija Peti-Bozic, who has shown her work in galleries and museums in Zagreb and elsewhere in Europe. Most of Peti-Bozic's work is oil on glass, typical of the Hlebine School. The shop is run by the artist's jovial husband, who will proudly rattle off his wife's accomplishments as well as wrap your purchases securely for packing.
Another Grisia Street shop worth a stop is no. 37, where award-winning artist Olga Vicel creates naive art in another medium -- embroideries with silk thread on linen. Framed pieces run 50€-500€ ($70-$840). Galerija Peti-Bozic, Grisia 22 (tel. 091/578-65-28), is usually open Easter through October 8am to 10pm daily. (Call to confirm opening hours.)
Linens, embroidered fabrics, chess sets and gauzy skirts are the specialty of Boutique Maya, which occupies nos. 18 and 19, open 10am-9pm or later in summer.
August is officially the month of Grisia's art celebration; during this month, shops and restaurants remain open as long as there are people in the streets.
