History
of Poreč
Poreč, Parenzo, in Latin – Parentium. In very interesting history longer than
two thousand years, through the city passed whole European civilization from
the Roman’s till the present time’s. This city-peninsula has been colonized
in the prehistoric times and the shape of a real city received in the beginning
of Roman colonization on Istria in 40. - 30. BC. Two main streets of the city
carry the same name as in Roman city – Decumanus and Cardo maximus. The city
still have the big Roman square – Forum whit remaining temples of Martius and
Neptunius.
The most valuable monument of the city is a Bizantine building – The Euphrasius
Basilica. This building is the only monument in Istria which is inscribed in
the UNESCO list of cultural heritage. In medieval and later times the city was
still growing strong and we have preserved monuments from Romanesque, Gothic,
Renaissance, Baroque…
In the last decades of 19th century and at the beginning of 20th century Poreč
is witnessing a strong growth in economical field. This reflects many new buildings
but also a rapid and strong growth of tourism. Since the 1950’s Poreč is the
biggest and strongest centre of tourist on the eastern coast of Adriatic. Only
in the last decade the city has won many prestigious awards as “The champion
of Tourism” (1996., 1998.), “The flower of Tourism” (1997., 1998., 1999., 2000.)
and “The star of Tourism” in 1998. All of this witness that the city is the
real place for Your vacation.
The Euphrasius
basilica
The whole old city is a cultural monument but the most important of them all
is the Euphrasius basilica. It has been built on 553. AD and in 1997. UNESCO
took patronage on it as a cultural heritage important for whole humanity. The
flashing and glorious mosaics made from gold, jewels, marble and many other
expensive materials,
on internal as well as external walls of the basilica are the best preserved
Bizantine art in the whole world. The whole complex is made of the church, atrium,
belfry, baptisterium, an the Bishops palace. In the palace is a small museum
which tells the story of this unique place.
The Palma apartments offers You a special guided visit to the Euphrasius basilica
for just 5 Euro per person.(min. 4 person.) The Palma apartments offers You
also a special guided tour through the whole city including Euphrasius basilica
for just 10 Euro per person. (min 4 person). Your guide will not be a tourist
guide but an archaeologist and art historian with knowledge in the city past.
Natural beautys
of Poreč
Poreč is situated in the middle of Istrian west coast, approximately in the
same line (but over the sea) as Venice, in tame scenery of mild Mediterranean
climate. A nice city, centre of tourism with the best arranged touristic accommodation
on Adriatic. Poreč is the city of natural beauty’s, arranged parks, refined
greenery and flowers. The pines and oaks reaches the sea along the city coast
formed by little peninsulas and bays. The cleanness of the sea and the beautiful
beaches along the city coast, the season of swimming from May till October made
this city famous from antiquity. The Roman historian Kasiodorus wrote that in
Poreč “patricians lead the life of Gods” when he was writing on cultural and
natural characteristics of Poreč.
History of Istria
The history of Istrian peninsula is very similar to the history of the city
of Poreč. At first the peninsula was colonized by the tribe Histri and the peninsula
still bears its name. After the Histri came Roman civilization which left some
of the most important cultural monuments on our ground.
Through the period of Middle Age various nationalities passed through Istria
and left a lot of material to witness their presence to us today. From 13th
century onward the coast was dominated by dodge of Venice and the central Istria
by Austrian imperial court. From that time we have preserved a lot of Romanesque,
Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. In 19th and in 20th century there
was a continuous change of Istrian sovereigns.
Today Istria is the most developed region in Croatia an tourism is one of it’s
major incomes.
Cultural and
natural sights
Palma apartments will instruct you, if you have time and will, for one of many
excursion which you can make while staying with us. Palma apartments offers
you guided tours of old-city and Euphrasius basilica, but also whole-day or
half-day routes to see our beautiful peninsula. You ca visit ornithological
park Palud (bird park) near Rovinj, natural and historic monuments of national
park Brijuni, antique city of Pula, the capital of ancient Histri – Nezakcij,
many medieval fortress on which you can enjoy splendid view on our peninsula….
And many others. If you have any special interest we will arrange a excursion
according to your wish.
These excursions can be realized wit a guide or you can explore Istria (helped
with our instructions) by yourself.
Where to eat
Of course, you can cook all your meals in your apartments! But if you want to
try some of traditional istrian specialities – istrian ham, world famous truffle,
delicious wine, istrian sausage, istrian soup or one of many istrian cakes we
will recommend you couple of restaurants.
If you prefer sea food than we will recommend you restaurants which offer only
the fresh fish and shells and all the treasure of Adriatic sea.
And for the one who like to experiment with tastes and loves creative kitchen
we have a list of selected restaurants of cousine nouvell.