Porec
Poreč is a small tourist town on the western coast of Istria. It is almost 2,000 years old, but this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century, it officially became a city and was part of the Roman colony of Colonia Iulia Parentium. The city walls were built in the time of Rome, including Neptune’s or Jupiter's temple.
After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, Poreč had many rulers: the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines, the Frankish empire, Venice, the Venetian Republic, Austria, Yugoslavia and today it is part of the Republic of Croatia.
The patron saint of the city of Poreč is St. Mauro, who, along with St. Eleutherius, died as a martyr during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
Due to a very mild Mediterranean climate and as much as 3850 sunshine hours per year, Poreč is a popular destination for many visitors from all over the world. Until the recent development of tourism, the main economic activity of Poreč was fishing and agriculture. Poreč first appeared on the tourist route as far back as 1844.
The most famous monument in Poreč is the Euphrasian basilica, which has been under UNESCO's protection since 1997. It is also renowned for the old town with its preserved Roman street grid (main streets like Decumanus and Cardo Maximus), medieval ramparts, the Roman market, Marafor Square etc.
The only open geological monument in Croatia, the Cave Baredine, is also located near Poreč.
These and many other attractions await you…
