Piran is a town in southwestern Slovenia on the Gulf of Piran on the Adriatic Sea. The town has lots of medieval architecture, with narrow streets and and lots of red tiled roofs. It was beautiful.
The old town is on a peninsular, and compact. It was easy to walk down the narrow streets and alley ways.
Recreational and fishing boats lined the entrance, as we made our way to the City square.
St George's church and the bell tower dominated the skyline.
In the pre-Roman era, the hills in the Piran area were inhabited by Illyrian Histri tribes who were farmers, hunters and fishermen. They were also pirates who disrupted Roman trade in the northern Adriatic. The Piran peninsula was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 178 BC.
The decline of the Roman Empire, from the 5th century AD onwards, and incursions by the Avars and Slavs at the end of the 6th century, prompted the Roman population to withdraw into easily defensible locations such as islands or peninsulas. This started local urbanisation and by the 7th century, under Byzantine rule, Piran had become heavily fortified. Despite the defences, the Franks conquered Istria in 788 and Slavs settled in the region. By 952, Piran had become a part of the Holy Roman Empire.
From 1283 to 1797, the town became part of the Republic of Venice. In 1558, a plague killed about two thirds of the population.
The town was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1797; but during the years from 1806 to 1814, when it was ceded to the Napoleonic Empire.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Piran was an Austro-Hungarian town with over 12,000 inhabitants, larger than the nearby Koper.
After the First World War, together with Trieste and all Istria, the town was ceded to Italy.
The town was annexed to Yugoslavia in 1954. I really enjoyed wandering the narrow streets, seeing everyday life squeezed into the town. People's washing hanging over the streets.
Since 1991, Piran has been part of independent Slovenia.
We chose to have lunch at the "Delfin", a small Gostilna wedged in between the alleyways and a square.
Olive oil and vinegar was offered as a started. Erik chose grilled sardines for his lunch.
A cheese plate and salad for me. One hard and one soft cheese - delicious.
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