Porec, along with Pula further down the coast, was one of the first Roman colonies of Istria. The Old Town remains, along with the remains of its Roman Temple. The Basilica complex is a UNESCO world Heritage site and rightly so, it’s full of ancient Byzantine gold studded mosaics and wall paintings, which are stunning. A Bishop at one stage also extended the building to include Palace rooms, beautifully ornate yet plain.

The old buildings surrounding the Basilica are Baroque, medieval and Venetian styles and the cobbled streets are laid out in grids from the coastline.

The Basilica began as a small church in the 4th century, expanded over the next few centuries into a bigger complex, decorated in the lavish Byzantium style, but is balanced by it’s simplicity. A bell tower was added in the 16th century and we climbed the 121 steps to the top to check out the views. It is said that on a clear day you can see Venice, sadly, not on the day we went.

This is the main apse, made entirely from gold and coloured mosaics.
The walls are much simpler.
  • Entrance to the Basilica
  • Courtyard
  • Baptism well and mosaic floor.
  • Stunning apse.
  • One of the Bishop’s Palace rooms.
  • Bishops Palace entrance.
  • One of the preserved mosaics.
  • More mosaics.
  • Remains of the old church.
  • Old floor mosaics.
  • In the bell tower,
  • View from above..

Town views

  • Approaching Porec
  • Porec town centre
  • Old fortified walls
  • Typical tavern!
  • Beautiful buildings
  • Wooden gallery!
  • Typical street in the old town.
  • Italian influence.