The small seaside town is known for its beautiful beaches, secluded coves and lagoons, and comfortable hotels. But already the first walk around the city gives an idea of its incredibly ancient and rich history. One of the few, Porec has managed to keep medieval palaces and houses in good condition. Any place in the so-called old city makes it possible to feel the passage of time, and the streets, paved by the ancient Romans, seem to lead to the distant past.
So, having appreciated the local coastline, guests begin to get acquainted with the remarkable places of the ancient city. What to see in Porec and its surroundings first of all?
TOP-10 attractions of Porec
Euphrasian Basilica
Euphrasian Basilica
This exquisite building is the main attraction of Porec. The oldest church of the oldest diocese on the Adriatic was built on the site of a chapel dating back to the 4th century. Named after Bishop Euphrasius, on whose initiative it was erected in the 6th century.
The basilica has survived the raids of the Gothic tribes, earthquakes, restoration. And at the same time it has preserved historical and Christian relics, as well as interiors of extraordinary beauty. The three naves of the temple are connected by colonnades crowned with Romanesque and Byzantine capitals. The monograms of St. Euphrasia, there are beautiful frescoes on the arches connecting the capitals. The decoration of the church is luxurious, historically valuable and every detail is of interest. The mosaics of the triumphal arch and the interior are noteworthy, but a particularly valuable mosaic awaits guests in the garden. This floor mosaic of the former church has not lost its color and beauty for seventeen centuries.
In short, the basilica is a must-see. It is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It still remains a functioning Catholic church. From the bell tower of the temple, you can admire the magnificent panorama. If you're lucky, you need to get to one of the musical concerts that are held in the basilica. The sound will be magical - thanks to the acoustics created by ancient masters.
Decumanus street
Decumanus street
This oldest pedestrian route in the city dates back to antiquity. Almost all of it is an architectural heritage. Even new houses are built by residents on ancient Roman foundations and in the same style so that there is no dissonance. The street is famous for the ancient palaces that appeared in Porec during the period of the Venetian Republic.
The Gothic House is a beautiful palace at the beginning of the street. One of 37 castles built by the Venetians. The luxurious building is privately owned and closed to tourists. You can admire the triple and double lancet windows. The former are decorated with flowerpots, the latter are separated by graceful columns.
Zukato Palace has now been converted into an art gallery. Dates back to the 13th century. The interior of the building has been redesigned for the needs of the gallery. But outwardly, the palace retains its original appearance - with double lancet windows and other elements of the Gothic style.
The Romanesque house was also built in the XIII century, after five centuries it was rebuilt, then it was reconstructed. Despite this, the ancient spirit has been preserved in its appearance. Raw stone blocks blend harmoniously with a wooden veranda. An external staircase and a window on the main façade emphasize the Romanesque architectural style.
Istrian municipality
A magnificent example of Baroque interiors is located in the city center next to a park, almost on the seashore. The building is considered one of the oldest in Porec. In the 13th century, it was built as a Franciscan temple. The Romanesque architectural style was replaced by strict classicism during the restoration - in the 18th century. Then it was already an administrative building. And to this day, the district parliament sits in it.
The municipality often hosts concerts, art exhibitions and even festivals. At this time, everyone can view it. Laconic on the outside, inside the municipality is decorated in the Baroque style, with rich stucco ceilings. The ceiling frescoes are framed in beautiful medallion frames. In addition to the ceilings, it is worth paying attention to the floor of the assembly hall. This is a valuable mosaic dating back to the early Christian era.
Towers of Porec
They are found in various places in the city. They were once part of the defensive walls. Now they are independent architectural monuments.
The pentagonal tower was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style, with an indispensable Venetian lion on the facade. It has been so well preserved that today the tower houses a restaurant serving national cuisine. Later, in the 15th century, the Round Tower appeared. It is interesting with an observation deck on the roof, where you can climb free of charge and explore the surroundings of Porec and the sea. There are several tables upstairs from the cafe located in the tower.
The North Tower is much worse preserved, although it was built as part of the Venetian defensive structures at the same time as the Round. You cannot enter or climb it, just inspect it. All the same, the tower breathes with deep antiquity, it looks great against the background of the blue Mediterranean sky and the surrounding greenery.
Ruins of roman temples
This open-air mini-museum is a place for culture aficionados. There are few remains, but admiration is already caused by the fact that they have been preserved here since the 1st century. Then the temple of Neptune was considered one of the largest on the Adriatic. Today, the ruins of this pagan Roman temple include fragments of columns, fragments of walls, a pediment and several sarcophagi.
The ruins are visited not only on the way to the sea or along with an excursion: vacationers come to take a selfie: the view of the ruins against the background of the surrounding greenery is picturesque. The majority, however, are well aware that few such ancient ruins can be found in the "free access". And they try to touch the history. Even the most sophisticated travelers can feel the atmosphere of this place.
St. Nicholas Island
St. Nicholas Island
It is clearly visible from the city embankment and attracts attention with picturesque nature and ancient buildings. A couple of centuries ago, the island was the favorite resort of the European nobility. Since that time, a Tuscan-style palazzo, an abandoned tower and an old lighthouse have been preserved.
A five-minute boat ride will allow you to spend the day among almost pristine nature, on the cleanest pebble beaches. The island is less than a square kilometer and is one beautiful forest park, ideal for secluded rest and relaxation. It is inhabited by songbirds, peacocks, squirrels and hares.
The 19th century palace has now become part of the only hotel on the island, Fortuna. The hotel has several restaurants for those who decide to spend the whole day on the island.
Baredine cave
Baredine cave
The first of the Croatian caves open to tourists and by far the most beautiful. All five of its rooms are decorated with numerous stalactites and stalagmites of an unusual shape. The lighting is excellent, there is an opportunity to admire the beauty of the underground. The depth of this almost vertical karst cave reaches 66 meters, the stairs for descent / ascent are also almost vertical. Therefore, all tourists in the cave are warm, despite the low temperature - around + 14 ° С.
At the very bottom of the cave there is a small lake in which the European Proteus or "human fish" lives - a very rare species of salamander, which is found only in the caves of the former Yugoslavia. The amphibian received the second name because its color is similar to the color of the human body. A small, about 30 cm long, creature is blind by nature. Apparently due to the underground habitat. There are legends that claim that Proteus is the very dragon who, coming out of the underworld, brings all sorts of disasters.
Limsky channel
Limsky channel
This natural phenomenon is located very close to Porec, to the south. You can get there by road or sea - both will be a pleasant journey.
This is a bay, deep into the land, therefore the second name of the channel is “Lim fjord”. Both names do not quite accurately convey the essence of the phenomenon. The bay is not formed by a glacier like a fjord, nor is it created by human hands like a canal. It's just that the Pazinčice River, even during the Ice Age, managed to erode rocks, forming the only fjord in the Mediterranean. Today it is a protected area, where it is forbidden to swim and fish, to move on boats using gasoline.
The canal is part of the Lim Gorge; steep mountains covered with dense forest rise along its banks. There are observation platforms - to admire the extraordinary beauty of nature and the greenish waters of the canal.
Romuald's cave
Another phenomenon, this time speleological. The cave is located south of the Lim channel, high in the mountains. The entrance to it is only half a meter high. But inside there are several halls of impressive size. The total area of the cave is over one hundred meters, and the height of the main hall reaches five to six meters.
At the beginning of the 11th century, the hermit Romuald lived there for three years, in prayer and meditation. Before that, the locals did not even dare to approach the cave, believing that dark forces dwell there. According to historical chronicles, after Romuald's hermitage, church services were even held in the cave. The construction of the Benedictine monastery of St. Michael not far from the cave is also credited to Romuald.
In the sixties of the last century, archaeological excavations were carried out in the cave. It contained the bones of a cave bear, a snow hare, a cave lion, a large deer and a wild horse.
Moncodogna
Moncodogna
This Neolithic monument is located half an hour from Porec, on a hilltop with beautiful views. Traveling here will be easy, and a touch of antiquity will be interesting and informative not only for history buffs.
Archaeological excavations lasted from the mid 50s of the last century until 2007. Today this Bronze Age city is open to visitors. It was inhabited in 1800-1200 BC. and became depopulated, presumably after the invasion of the Illyrian tribes. The ruins of large stone structures with a complex layout - the former houses of the nobility - have survived. In the lower city, the remains of structures are simpler. Apparently there were workshops and dwellings of ordinary people here.
The settlement attracts not only with interesting ruins, but also with few people, which contributes to acquaintance with the past.
