Picturesque Piran, a town in southwestern Slovenia, is everyone’s favourite town on the Slovenian coast. It is known for its medieval architecture and great sea-food restaurants. Adding a beach life and amazing panorama over the Gulf of Piran to all this, and … you are under a spell!
We made a quick list of the 3 TOP things to do in Piran – that is besides enjoying the beach-life and dining at some lovely sea-food restaurant there!
1.) Take in the views from the St. George’s Cathedral
Many would agree that St. George’s Cathedral (Katedrala/Cerkev Sv. Jurija) overlooking Piran, is town’s most famous landmark. It was built in the Venetian Renaissance architectural style and has been dedicated to Saint George. It was the life work of the stonemason Bonfante Torre from Venice.
A cobbled street leads from behind the Venetian House to Piran’s famous hilltop cathedral. Once you reach the top of the hill where the cathedral stands, you will be amazed with superb views of the town and harbour.
On the other side of the hill you can take views across the beautiful Adriatic sea, all the way to the Italian port city of Trieste.
The Cathedral of St George’s freestanding, 46.5m bell tower, built in 1609, was clearly modelled on the campanile of San Marco in Venice and provides a fabulous backdrop to many a town photo.
2.) Visit Maritime Museum “Sergej Mašera”
Located in the 19th-century Gabrielli Palace on the waterfront, this museum’s focus is Slovene naval history and maritime tradition, with plenty of stories relating to Slovenian seafaring. Let us just say: this is a stunning museum that everyone should see when in Piran!
There are several sections on different floors of the impressive museum building. In the archaeological section, the 2000-year-old Roman amphorae beneath the glass floor can be seen.
The antique model ships upstairs are also very remarkable; other rooms are filled with old figureheads and weapons, maps, paintings and various personal items once belonging to the seamen.
Mediadom Pyrhani is a multimedia museum and a multipurpose venue set in the city centre Piran. Established in 2015, it is focused on Piran and its history presented via a variety of media, from 3-D film projections to interactive, motion sensing displays. Here you can learn how Piran was built, how it was developed, which prominent personalities lived here etc.
The future or the past of Piran? You will have to find out yourself … (Photo credits: MEDIADOM PYRHANI via Facebook)
This should actually be the first stop for every visitor of Piran!
Additionally, there are sketches about the history of the Venetian Republic, which for many centuries used to hold sway over Piran. The museum also holds the original “pillar of shame”, formerly stationed in the city centre but now replaced by a replica.
The basement of Mediadom is an archaeological finding in itself. It is a newly discovered and centuries old underground corridor, presumably used as a crypt.
On the other side of the hill you can take views across the beautiful Adriatic sea, all the way to the Italian port city of Trieste.
