Poreč

Poreč – a city with a thousand-year history
Embark on a trip through time to the second century before Christ when the hill-fort settlements of Picuga and the top of Sveti Anđel (Holy Angel) were founded on surrounding higher ground from where the inhabitants could better defend themselves.  Later Ancient Greek records from the 6th century BC bear witness to a small fishing settlement which the Romans, through conquering the Histrians, will transform into their colony Iuliu Parentium.  The remains of Villa rustica, ancient temples and its urban centre bear witness to the influence of the Roman Empire.

This was followed by centuries of occupation and colonisation.  In the year 539 the rule of the Byzantine Empire began and as early as the beginning of the 7th century Poreč was inhabited by the Slavs who built their first permanent settlement here around the year 620.  By 1267, when Poreč came under the rule of the Venetian Republic, Poreč had been under Frankish rule and the rule of Aquileian  Patriarchs.  For the next five hundred years they ruled the entire coastal belt of Western Istria.  With the fall of the once mighty and powerful Venice in 1797 Poreč fell under Napoleonic rule and in 1814 became part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Starting in 1861 Poreč became the capital city of Istria and the seat of the Istrian Parliament.  From 1920 to 1943 Italy ruled over the city while from 1943 onwards Poreč and the rest of Istria became part of Croatia.

The Old City
A stroll around Poreč’s old city centre can begin at Trg Slobode (Freedom Square) from where you can entre Decumanus Street and continue along the narrow streets exploring the city’s sights.

From the other side, entering at the Poreč’s Lungomare (promenade along the sea) or from the Ante Šonja Shore, you will see before you a romantic view of the northern side of Poreč, Peškera Cove and the Pical and Materada neighbourhoods.  Continue your stroll to Matko Laginja Shore to the city waterfront or Maršal Tito Shore and in this way you will have walked around the former city walls and passed around the entire old city of Poreč.

Going south, to Poreč's Lagoons
If you want to go to the city or back by train, stop and wait at the stop for the tourist train that goes from Zelena Laguna to the city and back along the Antun Štifanić Promenade. In the shade of the pine trees during the day, you can also stroll in the fresh sea air at night because the promenade is illuminated.  During the summer months you can stop and rest at one of the many cafes and bars, catch your breath on a bench or play on the sports grounds along the promenade.  From the Plavi Hotel you can take the stairs to the cliff where you will find St. Nicholas’s Chapel with its bell-tower.  173 stairs lead to the top of the cliff and include rest stops and lighting, while the top of the bell-tower offers an excellent panoramic view.  From here you can head towards the city waterfront and peek at the schedule for the regular boat line that will take you back to Zelena Laguna with stops in between.

A perfect vacation in any season

Lulled into the Mediterranean climate, our territory is an ideal stay location throughout the year. Winter, spring, summer and autumn take turns as well as numerous entertainment and fun opportunities...

You will be delighted by long paths by the sea made for walks, friendly chatter, bike rides or recreational jogging. There are established bike routes through untouched nature inviting you to explore them.

Everything is there, the traditional Istrian cuisine offered by your hosts, new modern interpretations of local dishes for slow food fans, excellent world class wines and olive oils, natural beauties, preserved cultural heritage, numerous reasons for outdoor stay.

All the above is only one part of what Poreč and its surroundings have to offer.

If on business, there is a number of superbly equipped congress halls followed by some relaxation in one of our wellness centres.

It is easy to be our guest...