Priceless Heritage at Every Turn: Secret Attractions of Poreč

For those of you who may not know this, Poreč is a town with almost two thousand years of history. Just imagine what its streets are hiding but dying to tell curious passers-by! Step by step, we take you through secret attractions of this town, on an adventure in which we will follow every ancient signpost and listen carefully to the quiet yet powerful whisper of ancient times.

Lorun

(c) Photo Istria Culture

If you are adventurous and perceptive, we definitely recommend exploring the ancient remains in the Poreč area. The first such destination is the Lorun peninsula, where the Ancient Villa Rustica will prove to you that tourism is not some modern phenomenon, but an ancient wisdom. Along the way, you can also learn a little bit more about how amphorae were once made, or better yet discover, in one of the largest ancient fish farms in the Mediterranean, how people knew even back in the ancient days that fish should be farmed, not simply caught.

Picuge

Castle enthusiasts will surely end up at Picuge, a prehistoric hillfort that you can reach by taking a soothing walk through the irresistible nature. Just imagine the stories its concentric ramparts could tell, especially since hundreds of people used to live there! And since you are already there, make sure you check if there are any similar or completely different stories at Veliki Sveti Anđeo (Big Holy Angel) and Mali Sveti Anđeo (Little Holy Angel).  The only thing we are going to tell you is that the latter is considered to be the only Croatian megalithic stone circle.  A selfie in the Croatian Stonehenge? This is not to be missed!

City Walls

The old stone city walls, situated along the northern coast, have been witnessing Poreč’s rich history dating back to ancient times. During the period from the 12th to the 16th century, the city walls were on several occasions altered and reconstructed, and a few years ago they underwent a significant restoration. If you enjoy relaxing walks by the sea, these silent witnesses of yesteryear will be your ideal company and an inspiring backdrop.

Pentagonal Tower and Round Tower

Lovers of historical sites will certainly appreciate two picturesque towers in Poreč in the shape of a pentagon, that is, a sphere. The Pentagonal Tower boasts its foundations dating back to antiquity, its central part built in the Middle Ages and its top built in fifteenth century. The Round Tower also dates from the fifteenth century. Its original, steep stone staircase leads you to the unusual terrace – where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea, the main promenade and the island of Sveti Nikola. These are also perfect places for relaxing or going out, especially since there is a restaurant in the Pentagonal Tower and a bar within the Round Tower.

Euphrasian Basilica

Who knows: If the Euphrasian Basilica did not exist, would Poreč remain the best kept secret in the world? We will never know the answer to this question, but one thing is for sure, this only completely preserved monument from Early Christianity was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, giving Poreč a well-deserved place on the tourist map of the world and an additional confirmation of the most visited Croatian destination. Do you need more incentive to visit it?

Villa Polesini

Just a few steps away from the Old Town lies a striking building from a more recent past – the beautiful and utterly photogenic Villa Polesini. Built in the 19th century for a distinguished noble family of the same name, today it is a hotel and a popular location for fancy weddings. With its refined appearance and pink facade, it will particularly stir the hearts of romantic souls!

Experience the best of Poreč by staying in the finest hotel in the Old Town, providing easy access to all the captivating sights and attractions this historic area has to offer.

At every turn of this exciting journey through the rich history of Poreč, be prepared for a truly special feeling – the one that mixes the vibrancy of the moment you are in and the serenity of the historical heritage that this ancient town hides and unobtrusively reveals to us.