Discover the destination Poreč
Euphrasius basilica (Porec, Istria)
The Euphrasius’ Basilica is the Cathedral of the Ascencion of Maria, but is because of Bishop Euphrasius, who built it, better known as the Euphrasius’ Basilica. The interior and façade of the church are made with glorious mosaics and belong to the most beautiful protected parts of the Byzantine masterpiece from the 6th century. The church shines from mosaic diversity. Euphrasius basilica Info
The Baredine cave – Nova Vas (Porec, Istria)
In the underground world of the Baredine Cave you can see a treasure of unique sculptures, stalactites and stalagmites shaped over thousands and thousands of years by the amazing play of nature. The Baredine Cave is a protected natural and geomorphologic landmark, as well as the first caving site of Istria where, from this year on, you can see a historic exhibition of tractors, an exhibition of bread and oil, and a wine bar. Baredine cave Info
Plava Laguna (Blue Lagoon)
Plava Laguna Resort is known for its beauty, and the peace and quiet that surround it make it ideal for a peaceful and relaxing vacation in Istria. This scenery was shaped for long walkings by the sea, lounging on the beach and for relaxing the mind and soul.
Zelena Laguna (Green Lagoon) (Porec, Istria)
In terms of high standards and a wide range of facilities, Zelena Laguna is a unique resort in both Istria and Croatia. This magnificent landscape of pure beauty hides a number of different hotels, campsites and apartments. The only thing you need to do is come and enjoy yourself.
Materada Area (Porec, Istria)
Nature was exceptionally unselfish in the north part of Poreč where Materada Area is located. All the facilities of Materada Area are surrounded by green areas and the only thing standing between them and the nearby sea are attractive beaches and sunning areas.
Main street Decumanus (Porec, Istria)
Decumanus connected the square Marafor in the western part of old city with city gates at its eastern end. Roman Forum with Temples dedicated to Roman gods was located on the Marafor square. There is still today a Romanic house and a few beautiful Venetian gothic palaces.
Gotic House
In the main old town street, Decumanus, there's a house where you can see: two trifora.
The Gothic Palace was built in 1473 in gotico fiorito Venetian architectual style. In this period of its life Poreč was undoubtfully a home to quite a few wealthy families that didn’t mind paying a lot for their houses to be as nice and modern as in Venice. A number of such palaces is preserved.
Istrian Council House
Originally a Gothic Franciscan Church from the 13th century. It stands between Park Juraj Dobrila and Laginja's shore. The interior of the building was made into Baroque style in the mid 18th century. On the ceiling there is Baroque plastering with illusionistic frescoes in medallions.
During the last century this building was used for assemblies of the Istrian Parliament and even today the District Parliament holds its formal sessions there, as well as the choir concerts ‘Naš kanat je lip’ and painting exhibitions ‘Annale’. Last spring, in the courtyard behind the Assembly Hall, early Christian floor mosaics were found, probably from the church of S.Thomas the Apostole.
Canonica
A monumental building of the canonic was completed in 1251.
Some say that it is one of the best examples of Roman construction.
House of Two Saints
The facade of small Romanesque house accentuated by two relief figures of saints.
Built in the 14/15th century in a Romanesque style. It derived its name from the two stone relief figures of the two saints alongside the window on the last floor. On the ground floor a large stone arch stands out.
Square Marafor
In the 1st century it pride itself with the biggest Roman sanctuary in Istria. Mart's temple or the Big temple was one of the biggest on the Adriatic.
North of it there is the ruin of Neptune’s temple. The Marafor Square, Poreč’s oldest and biggest square, a Roman forum rectangularly shaped is near the temples.
The Great Temple of Neptune
The Great Temple – northwest of the Marafor Square. The remains (a part of the wall and foundation) of an ancient temple from the beginning of the 1st century.
The Temple of Neptune – in a park, west of the Marafor Square, only fragments of the ancient temple, which was dedicated to the god of the sea, Neptune, are preserved.
Round Tower
Stands near Narodni trg (Public Square), built in the second half of the 15th century.
It is very well preserved and a visit to the terrace on top is possible.
It is very well preserved and a visit to the terrace on top is possible.
Zuccato Palace
Matija Gubac Square used to be called Piazza dei signori in Venetian times but only one row of the palaces have been preserved, among them a nice example from Gothic and from Baroque period.
Along the most beautiful street in Poreč, Decumanus, stretch two galleries, one at Zuccato Palace and the other, the Heritage Museum of Poreč and Its Surrounding Area.
Pentagonal Tower
Located at the beginning of the central street, Decumanus, at the entrance of the heart of the old city. It was erected in the mid 15th century in Gothic style, with a relief of a Venetian lion on the facade.
Up until the French occupation, parts of the city gates were preserved all the way up to the tower.
Norther Tower
Alongside the Peškera bay, northeast of the heart of the old city. It was built in the 15 century. Today the edge is still partly preserved.
Between the three towers, as well as around the peninsula, there used to be the City’s ramparts. Parts of it are still best visible from the board-walk along the northern side of the City. The City was detached from the mainland by a trench.
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Bellevue
Bijela Uvala
Borik
Brulo
Delfin
Donji Špadići
Galeb
Galijot
Gradsko kupalište
Laguna Materada
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Euphrasian Basilica
The most valuable cultural monument in Porec. It was built on the remains of an earlier tri-naval basilica, in the first half of the 6th century, during the period of Bishop Euphrasius, whose name it bears.
Visitors’ tours are possible everyday except during religious rituals. It is possible to climb up to the steeple and view Porec and its surroundings. The complex of the Euphrasian Basilica represents a significant global monument acknowledged by UNESCO organisation in the year 1997.
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More about Poreč
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Porec History
Poreč is an important picturesque town located on the western Istrian coast. Beautiful and rich natural setting favours the district’s intensive vine growing, olive farming and especially tourist industry. But, the town history begins two thousand years ago. After many nations who have settled on this area, firts one the Illyrian tribe of Istria. Istrians were defeated by Romans. When the Romans conquered the Histris, begins another long cultural and political period. Poreč is first mentioned 50 years BC as opidum, a fortified city. On the Poreč peninsula, they have built the army fortification and named it Castrum. Futhermore, after a certain time period, this settlement was announced the central City of the Roman administrative, cultural and economical colonization.
The remain of the Neptune and the Great temple were found at the convexed part of the peninsula. There were located at Marafor, a rectangular square of which is preserved a Roman pavement under the present ground. Architectural highlihtning curiosity is the Euphrasian basilicadating from th 6th century. It is the most remarkable Byzantine architectural and artistic monument on the Adriatic’ east coast.
The Bishop Euphrasie came on this area and left the important impression on the Church and its governing. He built a Basilica on the same place where was settled the Cathedral. Basilica got name after the Bishop and 2000 years after, the Euphrasius Basilica has pass all these years protected as much as can be. It is preserved only one side part of the Basilica. Today is the most precious and amazing cultural monument. It is under the UNESCO-s protection on the World List of Preserved Cultural Heritage. Furthermore, much colonization passed through the Poreč area and tried to conquer the town, until one year Poreč was taken by the Venetian Republic. They built the amazing and most beautiful Fortifications, Castles, Gothic Palaces and because of that important development, Porec received the City Statute. By those changes, many cultural but political guidelines developed and advanced. During that time period, Poreč was the main city of Istria and was the center of all political, legal, and educational programs. All the schools, courthouses and administrations where settled in Porec. Today, after thousand years ago, Venetians and Romans left so many traces in Poreč, many monuments and historical conclusions of their existence, like: North Fortress; Pentagonal Fortress; Canonic; Middle Ages Bulwarks; Istrian Assembly Hall; Marafor Forum Romanum; The Two Saints House; Romanesque House; Big Neptun Temple; Gothic House; Round Fortress; Palace Zucchato; Franciscan Gothic Church and Church of our Lady Andela.
Porec Culture
Poreč culture reaches the pre-historic time, influencing on today’s cultural and artistic movements of home people. During the summer, the city lives up and becomes the magical and historical place. Additionally, if you prefer to visit the national treasures, there are galleries which keep the most famous arts, and those are: Art Souvenirs; Art Studio Varzic; Atelier Gallery; Atelier 1; Fenix; Gallery M; Gallery Roco; Gallery Istrian Assembly Hall; Two Saints House Gallery; National University; The Palace Zuccato and The Romanesque House Gallery. Besides, the City has two Theaters: Theater Exit and Porec Theater; and has one cinema, the Cinema Porec for those who prefer the peaceful vacation and cultural laudation. The City has one museum, the Local History Museum where are settled regional treasures and monuments evidencing the history as once was. Heritage Museum of Poreč, the first museum established in Istria in 1884, with its rich collection of exhibits from all periods confirms the continuity of life in this area. The museum is situated in the Baroque Palace Sincic from the 18th century. At the ground floor of the complex is settled the Lapidarium with the Roman monuments and the archaeological collection with the Pre-Historic ceramics; at the other floors are settled the Baroque Salon with the artistic paintings and objects, the portraits and objects collection of a Slovenian family Carli, the collection of Medieval Sculptures and a wealthy historical library with the preserved documentation. Very interesting exhibition held is the Porec Annale which is the oldest Croatian Art Exhibition of the Modern Art. It is settled at the Gallery Istrian Assembly Hall in the heart of the old town. International and home artists expose their work in the gallery. Those places are worth to visit to learn more about the national history of Istrian people. Anyway the whole town is rich with monuments: the remains of Roman temples, Romanesque, Gothic and Borque buildings which confirm that the city is an open air museum.
Porec – Things to do
Porec, very entertaining city, offers many amusement and crazy fun. In the old town, on the main square, during the summer are held various cultural and entertaining shows, live concerts and dance performances. Many restaurants organize live music dance shows on their terraces, also the folklore performing groups and similar manifestations. Considering the concerts, there are held: Classical Music Concerts in the atrium of the Euphrasian Basilica where perform the music vocalists, instrument soloists, symphony orchestra and various choirs; Jazz Concerts in the City Museum garden; Meetings of cultural and artistic groups; Concerts, Theater and Cinema performances,Poreč summer – pop singers and bands concerts every week and much more. For those who prefer parties and all night long amusement, Porec offers following Clubs: Disco Club Byblos; Colonia Club; Club International which also has its Casino Club. Besides those, you can find numerous restaurants, coffee bars, taverns, patisseries, and related relaxed places to spend an interesting evening.
This city is the perfect vacation place which offers many contests during the daytime. Apart from enjoying the crystal blue sea and Mediterranean sky, you can choose between many sport and recreational activities. Those are: sailing, scuba diving, jet ski, waterskiing,fishing and hunting, tennis, cycling, walking, speleological features, wellness treatments, golf, beach volley ball, surfing, sport climbing, horse back riding, drive, paragliding, para flying, bungee jumping, and Adrenalin Park Akros where are exposed many more extreme features for the adrenalin lovers. Furthermore, Porec offers spread choice of amusement during the day. For those who do not prefer sport activities but rather do excursion of surrounding areas, Porec offers: Limski Channel tour; Cove Baredine; Inner Istria Tours; Plitvice Lakes; Inner Istria Off Road races; City Pula, National Park Brijuni; Boat panoramic trip through the Porec archipelago and many more. Another very interesting visit place is the Porec Aquarium. There are available to see numerous different species of the underwater world.
Porec – Entertainments and events
Many festivals and amusing events are organized, including the entertainment for every maternal age, like: Porec Cultural Summer including all the cultural and art performances of various artists; Retro Sound of 80’s & 90’s in the MMC Atelier; Istria Cup; International Football Tournament; Motor Show Poreč 2008 as the Cars and Motorcycles Fair; Rally Race – Race of Champions; Flowers Fair Porec; ViniIstra the International Vines Fair and exhibition; Istria Terra Magica Bike Race; European Dance Contest; International Tennis Tournament; Street Art Festival placed on the Old Town streets where are settled the musical performances, artistic exhibitions, mulitimedia and acrobatic shows and many more.
Porec – Service Information
Regional Number Code 052
Police Department 192;
Fire Department 193 / 451-122;
Emergency 194 / 451-244;
Bus Station 432-153;
Airport Pula 550-900;
Ambulance 451-611;
Harbour/Ferry 452-021;
Tourist Office 451-293;
Railway Pula 541-733;
General Information 981.
Porec – How to reach us
Porec can be reached: By bus which connects all the mains cities and other settlements but especially Pula, Rijeka and Trieste; By train to the nearest railway station in Pazin; By plane to the nearest airport in Pula or in Trieste (Ronchi dei Legionari); By boat to the nearest main port or by personal boat to the smaller port or marina; By personal vehicle which is the most reliable and secure way of traveling and can be easily found since there are mayn sings on the Istrian Y.