Things to do in Koper
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Yildiz Han
Yildiz Han 'Star House', a branch of a similarly named establishment in Ljubljana, has all our Turkish favourites, including sigara böreği (filo parcels filled with cheese), yaprak dolmasi (stuffed vine leaves) and kebabs.
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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.
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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.
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Istrska Klet Slavček
The 'Istrian Cellar', situated in the 18th-century Carli Palace, is one of the most colourful places for a meal in the Old Town. Filling set lunches, and there's Malvazija and Teran wine available straight from the barrel.
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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.
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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.
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Beach
Koper's tiny Beach, on the northwest edge of the Old Town, has a small bathhouse with showers and changing rooms, toilet, grassy area for lying in the sun and café-bar.
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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.
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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.
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La Storia
This Italian-style trattoria in the same building as the Hotel Koper focuses on pasta and salads and has outside seating in the warmer months. The salad bar is good value.
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Forum
This café-bar at the northern side of the market, next to the Yildiz Han Turkish restaurant and facing a little park and the sea, is a popular local hangout.
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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.
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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
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Swimming Pools
Travel to Ankaran, and swim at the sand-and-pebble beach there or in one of the two seawater Swimming Pools at the Adria Ankaran holiday resort.
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Pizzerija Atrij
This old favourite down an alleyway no wider than your average fullback's shoulder spread serves decent pizzas and has a small back garden.
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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.
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City Tower
Opposite the Armoury in Titov trg is the Cathedral of the Assumption and its 36m-tall belfry, now called the City Tower.
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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.
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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.
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Taverna
At the southern end of Carpacciov trg is the arched Taverna, a onetime salt warehouse dating from the 15th century.
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Okrepčevalnica Bife Burek
This place servies good-value burek and pizza slices, which you can carry to Titov trg and eat there.
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