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Old Town

The old town of Poreč developed on the peninsula in Roman times and has kept its original urban street system. The peninsula is divided lengthways by Decumanus Maximus street with a parallel series of ancillary streets or decumanusi. They are connected together by horizontal streets with Cardo Maximus at the centre. As a result of this layout, the town area takes the form of a proper square with the houses inside it.

Euphrasius' Basilica Complex

Euphrasius' Basilica is the most significant and valuable cultural historical site in Poreč and is the best kept memorial of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean. It was built in the 6th century during the time of Bishop Euphrasius from whom it got its name. The complex is one of the most significant global memories, and the basilica is on the UNESCO world cultural heritage list.

Marafor Square

Marafor Square was once the oldest and largest square in Poreč, or Roman forum. The remains of the square with two its temples, Mars and Neptune, were constructed in the 1st century. You can still see some remnants and it is located at the end of the peninsula where the old town of Poreč is. It is thought that the name of the square comes from the compound of the words "Mars” and “Forum”, thus making it Mars's square.

Poreč's Towers

Poreč once had 11 towers, and three have been preserved. The north, south, and pentagonal towers were built in the 15th century, as an extra safeguard against possible invasions by the Ottomans and have remained until today. In addition to the three Poreč towers, there were ramparts between the town walls and the land. The most visible traces of these are found in the north side of the town.

Gothic Palaces

Fifteen palaces from the gothic period have been preserved in Poreč. They can be found on Cardo and Decumanus streets, as well as on Matija Gubec square, Poreč's medieval centre.

Romanesque House

This is near Marafor square and was built in the 13th century. There is a stable on the ground floor, stone steps lead to the first floor that is a large area with a hearth. The façade is decorated with two double lancet windows and a wooden balcony.

Istrian Council House

An original Franciscan Gothic church that was built in the 13th century. It was rearranged in a Baroque style in the 18th century and is located between Juraj Dobrila Park and the coast of Laginjina. Its interior was arranged in a baroque style in the 18th century. The Istrian Council House was once the seat of the regional parliament, and today it houses exhibitions and concerts, and formal meetings of country groups.

The Great Temple of Neptune

The Great Temple of Neptune is in the north western part of the town very near Marafor square, and dedicated to the God of the sea. Only some parts of the antique temple are preserved, a part of the wall and foundations. The remains date from the 1st century and it is presumed that Neptune’s temple was the largest temple in the whole of Istria.
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