ISTRIA SLOVENIA Koper Izola Piran Portorož
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ISTRIA SLOVENIA Koper Izola Piran Portorož www.slovenia.info Slovenian Istria A place where you start to write the story of your own experience. First-hand experience and photo- atmosphere can be felt in cobbled graphs tell the story of Slovenian streets, squares, churches, houses Istria better than words. The eye and in the vibrations of everyday life. glistens with excitement, the soul yearns to travel. Travelling to this Istrian people tell the story of their part of the world is possible by road, homeland. They live in harmony with by rail, by sea and by air. Slovenian the soil, not always hospitable, yet Istria is located on the meeting point rewarding hard work. They are fortu- of the Karst edge to the east, the nate to enjoy a moderate climate nevertheless quite various when you Adriatic Sea to the west and the with mild winters and warm summers, look at the picturesque landscape Bay of St. Bartholomew to the north. enabling them to grow olive trees, of Šavrinski hills, Bržanija, the Karst It borders on two neighbouring coun- vines and many different kinds of edge and 47 kilometres of coastline. tries: Italy and Croatia, and is home to fruit, the basis of Istrian cuisine, not They each have special features but people of different nationalities. extravagant but a simple and healthy they are all part of Slovenia's attrac- The stories of Slovenian Istria stretch culinary and oenological art of food tive seaside tourist resorts, famous a long way back to the times of preparation. Fishing used to be an for their diversity, unspoilt the Roman Empire and further. important part of everyday life, now, nature, kind people, rich cultural The remains of the Roman Empire however, the number of fishermen is heritage and lively creativity, well- can be found in the hamlets in the decreasing. developed yet discreet tourist offer. A hinterland of Koper, Izola and Piran, haven for your heart and soul. A place coastal towns bearing remains of Although the territory of Slovenia where you start to write the story of the times long gone. The ancient seems homogenous at first, it is your own experience. Slovenian Istria 002 respect local people feel for the past. life to its streets and squares The most important periods were the all year round, especially in the times before World War I, the times summer months. Last but not of Napoleonic and Habsburg rules, least, the recently established the time when the saltpans were University of Primorska, gives this reduced in size and Koper was no city of abundant past, daring longer an island. Its development present and optimistic future a was influenced significantly by the special kind of charm. establishment of land and sea connections with Trieste and Poreč. After World War II, in the times of great political changes, Koper became the economic centre of the region, a meeting point of nautical, seaside and sports tourism. Various cultural events give Aegida, Capris, Justinopolis, Insula Capraria, Caput Koper Histriae, Capo D'Istria, Koper. in the past and today The history of Koper goes back to the Istria. Its modern image has deep be felt today. The modern city of times of the Middle Bronze Age, 1500 historic roots and it is quite an art to Koper is a member of the Slovenian years B.C. In the past, Koper was an bring together all these influences. Association of Historic Towns. island, first inhabited in pre-Roman and Roman times. In Roman times, the town was called Every cobblestone of the city streets Capris, in the times of Pope Gregory speaks of the past. Renovated and Aegida, Capris, Justinopolis, Insula I it was Insula Capraria (the Goat restored old buildings speak of the Capraria, Caput Histriae, Capo D'Istria Island), in Byzantine era it was called are the various names of Koper, Justinopolis, the patriarchs of Aquilea whose image and name were altered named it Caput Histriae. Only in the throughout history by different rulers times of the Venetian Republic and states. Of all Slovenian coastal its name was changed to the Italian towns, Koper underwent the greatest language: Capodistria. During the number of changes and progressed a long Venetian rule, Koper underwent long way from the stony Goat Island the most significant economic and Slovenian Istria to the economic centre of Slovenian cultural changes, which can still 004 Izola is a picturesque mosaic of tradition, history, architectural sights Izola and hospitable people in the past and today Two thousand years B. C. members ing town, it was the home of the first the streets of the old city core. The of the Illyrian tribe of Histri were the fish-canning factory. Despite its for- town also offers a variety of cultural first known inhabitants of Istria to mer 'sleeping beauty' status, known events, many of which depict old build fortified settlements in this as the home of fishermen and traditions and customs of the city territory. Their remains can still be workers, Izola has developed into a and its surrounding villages. This is found in the village Kaštelir nad popular tourist resort. It is most ap- also the home of the delicious Istrian Kortami above Izola. Overlooking the preciated by young families, sports- cuisine and excellent wines. neighbouring hills, the village has men and retired people, who love to a wonderful view of the smallest of return here all year round. The motto Izola is a picturesque mosaic of Istrian towns, the town which used to of the modern tourist offer in Izola tradition, history, architectural sights be an island: Izola. is that something is not good for the and hospitable people, a place of tourists if it is not good for its people, harmonious coexistence of different In the Italian language, Izola (isola) resulting in a somewhat more gentle nationalities. People of Izola carry means 'an island'. Although in the approach to tourism. their hometown in their hearts course of time, the island became wherever they go. a part of the mainland, its story is Numerous art galleries and pleasant Slovenian Istria closely linked to the sea. Being a fish- inns can be found when walking along 006 Piran is a very special, precious city. Each time one looks at Piran from a distance or from the air, one is overcome by a feeling of surprise. Piran in the past and today Piran is a very special, precious city. Throughout time, Piran maintained their living mainly by tourism. Numer- It is the best preserved cultural the clustered medieval structure nar- ous events take place all year monument of Slovenian Istria and row winding streets, houses huddled round in the open and in magnifi- the closest neighbour of Portorož, the close together, rising in cascades, the cent buildings named after famous luxurious city of flowers. contact with the sea, numer- people from Piran. The Church of St. ous squares and churches. George, the patron saint of Piran, Each time one looks at Piran from rises above the town. From its lookout a distance or from the air, one is Tartini Square is the gem found in tower you have a wonderful view of overcome by a feeling of surprise. the very centre of Piran. It was named Piran and its surroundings and all the Loved by the eyes of the people and after the famous violinist and com- way across the sea to the Croatian by the eye of the camera, its image poser Giuseppe Tartini, who made and Italian coast. is known all over the world. However, the town world-famous. His statue is it is also a great pleasure to enjoy all located in the centre of the square. Two hotels, a youth hostel, a number the things that cannot be seen from The city is surrounded by a circular of private rooms, churches, galleries, afar. When you visit Piran, you should wall. Piran is a member of the Euro- museums and Piran Aquarium invite take a closer look at its architec- pean Walled Cities Association. you to come and see for yourself. ture, influenced by the Venetian You will not regret it. Republic, which left its mark on most The city of Piran is a national Slovenian Istria Istrian towns. historical monument. People earn 008 The countryside of Slovenian Istria Just as a person is identified by their name and surname, towns in Slove- nian Istria cannot exist without their countryside, forming a geographic and social unity. In the surroundings of Koper, Slovenian most important contact with the sea, there are many villages complementing Koper with their spe- cial features. a 300-metre-high Karst cliff offering Črni Kal is the first Istrian village a breathtaking view. The history of the on the way from the mainland to the castle goes back to the 13th century. Mediterranean Istria. Here you can Today, among its walls, you will find a see the remains of the oldest Slove- top-quality castle restaurant. Close nian farmhouse, the Benko house, to the castle is Sveta jama (the Holy from the 15th century. The village is Cave), with the only underground also known for the slanting church church in Slovenia, the abode of the tower of the church of St. Valentine. martyr St. Socerb. Crossing the Črni Kal viaduct on your way to the sea, you enter the modern Hrastovlje, a beautiful village locat- era. ed under the Karst edge, is famous for the church of the Holy Trinity, consid- Osp is one of the oldest villages in ered the only entirely painted church Slovenia, first mentioned in the 11th in Slovenia, where it is still possible to century.