Koper Sights

Sights in Koper

  1. A

    Praetorian Palace

    Directly opposite the Loggia in Titov trg, is the gleaming white and recently renovated Praetorian Palace, a mixture of Venetian Gothic and Renaissance styles dating from the 15th century and the very symbol of Koper. It now contains the town hall, with a reconstructed old pharmacy and the main branch of the tourist office on the ground floor and exhibits on the history of Koper and a ceremonial hall for weddings on the 1st floor.

    The facade of the palace, once the residence of Koper's mayor who was appointed by the doge in Venice, is chock-a-block with medallions, reliefs and coats of arms.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Koper Regional Museum

    The Belgramoni-Tacco Palace houses the Koper Regional Museum, with displays of old maps and photos of the port and coast, Italianate sculptures and paintings dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, and copies of medieval frescoes. Note the wonderful bronze knocker on the front door of Venus arising from a seashell. The museum's ethnological collection is in a 17th-century building in the eastern section of the Old Town.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Column of St Justina

    One of the most colourful streets in Koper, Kidričeva ulica starts at Carpacciov trg, where the Column of St Justina commemorates Koper's contribution - a galley - to the Battle of Lepanto in which Turkey was defeated by the European powers in 1571. Nearby is a large Roman covered basin that now serves as a fountain.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Cathedral of the Assumption

    Opposite the Armoury in Titov trg is the Cathedral of the Assumption and its 36m-tall belfry, now called the City Tower. The cathedral, partly Romanesque and Gothic but mostly dating from the 18th century, has a white classical interior with a feeling of space and light that belies the sombre exterior.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Totto Palace

    On the north side of Kidričeva ulica there are several disused churches from the 16th century, including the 18th-century baroque Totto Palace, with a relief of the winged lion of St Mark taken from Koper's medieval fortress.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Muda Gate

    At the southern end of Prešernov trg is the Muda Gate. Erected in 1516, it's the last of a dozen such entrances to remain standing. On the south side of the archway you'll see the city seal: the face of a youth in a sunburst.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Brutti Palace

    Linked to Titov trg to the east, Trg Brolo is a wide and peaceful square of fine old buildings, including the late-18th-century baroque Brutti Palace, now the central library, to the north.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Titov trg

    In almost the exact centre of old Koper, Titov trg is a beautiful square full of interesting buildings; mercifully, like much of the Old Town's core, it is closed to traffic.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Almerigogna Palace

    At the end of Čevljarska ulica and down the stone steps is the Almerigogna Palace, a painted Venetian Gothic palace and arguably the most beautiful building in Koper.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Rotunda of John the Baptist

    Behind the cathedral to the north is a circular Romanesque Rotunda of John the Baptist, a baptistery dating from the second half of the 12th century with a ceiling fresco.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Loggia

    On the north side of Titov trg is the arcaded Venetian Gothic Loggia built in 1463. It now contains an elegant yet affordable café and the Loggia Gallery.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Medieval Town Houses

    Opposite the Totto Palace are some wonderful old Medieval Town Houses, with protruding upper storeys painted in a checked red, gold and green pattern

    reviewed

  14. M

    Church of St Nicholas

    On the north side of Kidričeva ulica there are several disused churches from the 16th century, including the Church of St Nicholas.

    reviewed

  15. N

    City Tower

    Opposite the Armoury in Titov trg is the Cathedral of the Assumption and its 36m-tall belfry, now called the City Tower.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Koper Regional Museum Ethnological Collection

    The Koper Regional Museum Ethnological Collection is in a 17th-century building in the eastern section of the Old Town.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Fontico

    On the eastern side of Trg Brolo is the Fontico, a granary where the town's wheat was stored in the late 14th century.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Taverna

    At the southern end of Carpacciov trg is the arched Taverna, a onetime salt warehouse dating from the 15th century.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Belgramoni-Tacco Palace

    The Belgramoni-Tacco Palace, dating from the early 17th century, houses the Koper Regional Museum.

    reviewed

  20. S

    Trg Brolo

    Linked to Titov trg to the east, Trg Brolo is a wide and peaceful square of fine old buildings.

    reviewed

  21. T

    Vissich-Nardi Palace

    On the eastern side of Trg Brolo is the Vissich-Nardi Palace, containing government offices.

    reviewed

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  23. U

    Armoury

    On the western side of Titov trg, the Armoury was a munitions dump four centuries ago.

    reviewed