By the seventh century AD, Rovinj was already surrounded by town walls, and later strengthened by the construction of towers. The old town had seven gates, while three still exist today: the Saint Benedict Gate, the Portico and the Holy Cross Gate.A baroque archway called “Balbijev luk”, which today serves as the 
entrance into the old town.
Balbi Arch is located at the former gate of the old fish market. The old gates were demolished in the 17th century. Balbi arch is made in the same place, and was named after Balbi, a former mayor of Rovinj. At the top of the arch is the lion, the symbol of the Venetian republic, with an open book (meaning that Rovinj without the war was ruled by government of the Venetian Republic). The book is an inscription “VICTORIA TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA Mevsim”. At the door were Turkish and Venetian head, but their meaning is deciphered
