City of Porečc - Parenzo

A true gem of the Mediterranean, Porec preserved the charm of a small Adriatic town, but has all the features of a tourist destination that will make your holiday interesting and pleasant. You will discover concerts of classical music and jazz, folklore festivals and street art, museums as well as countless shops, antique stores and restaurants. During the rich and engaging history of Porec, the influence of different nations and cultures mixed in this area – Histrians, Romans, Ostrogoths, Franks, Slavic, Venetians, Austrian and so on. The rich and well preserved cultural heritage can be noticed at every turn in this 2000 years old Mediterranean city. By taking a walk through Porec, you’ll be passing through the same streets as the old Romans 2000 years ago. It was almost 2000 years ago when Porec obtained the status of a city of the Roman Empire. Ever since the 3rd century it has been a diocese, and the town had self-government since as early as 12th century. During the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, in 1861 it was pronounced the seat of the Istrian parliament. Remains of the Roman sanctuary with temples, medieval fortifications, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque palaces are well worth a visit.

Our Concierge recommendations from Laguna Istria, to visit in Porec – Parenzo are:

Euphrasian Basilica - Porec has one of the most magnificent early Byzantine churches in Europe called Euphrasius’ Basilica after Euphrasius, the Bishop of Porec.In 1997, the entire complex of Euphrasiana which consists of: church, baptistery, atrium and the former Bishop’s Palace was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Pentagonal Tower - Located at the beginning of the central street Decumanus - Dekumanova, at the entrance of the heart of the old city. The tower 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. Today the Tower still remains well preserved, with the Venetian Lion greetings its guests to the Decumanus street.

The Romanesque House – Famous by the outside stairway, a Romanesque biforium and a wooden balcony that was renovated in 1930.

The Great Temple and the Temple of Neptune –At the end of Decumanus street, you will find Marafor Square. After the Marafor Square are the remains of an ancient temple from the beginning of the 1st century.

The Gothic House - In the main street of the old town, Decumanus, there's a ghotic palace with its splendid double trifora windows. The Gothic Palace was built in 1473 in gotico fiorito - Venetian architectural style. In this period of its history, Poreč was undoubtedly 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.

The Istrian Council House or City Palace - 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 in 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.

However, Porec is much more than its rich history and cultural heritage. Today, Porec and its surroundings are a tourist mecca and a perfect holiday destination, wherever you may stay –

Come and fall in love with Istria.