Things to do in Piran

Soline - Salt

The reserve is the biggest wetland on the coastline. In the northern part of the reserve called Lera, people harvest salt using a 700 year old method. The quality of the salt and the salt flower, that is a very thin, topmost layer of salt in the ponds, is famous and cherished all over the world. Meanwhile, the abandoned southern part of the reserve called Fontanigge features many unique sights – birds, vast fields of halophytes and over 100 abandoned and demolished buildings that were once used by workers in the salt industry. The reserve became a habitat for various animals and plants.

Strunjan

The park consists of a wide expanse of protected nature, ranging over two reserves – Strunjan Nature Reserve and Stjuža Nature Reserve. It features as well the Avenue of Pines, known as a unique monument shaped by nature.

Venezian house

At the corner of IX Corpo Street and Tartini Square is situated the Veneziana House. Erected in the mid-15th century by one of the most powerful families in Piran, the Del Bellos, it is considered to be the oldest structure on the square. Its facade is richly decorated by architectural elements and decorations or reliefs made in stone, typical for the Venetian Gothic period.

The stone plate featuring a carved lion is placed between the windows. The lion holds the inscription Lasa pur dir. The legend speaks of the love between a young girl from Piran and a rich merchant from Venice. The evil tongues of Piran made the girl's life difficult while her beloved one was away on a far journey. Because of her constant complaints, the light-hearted merchant made the inscription: Lasa pur dir – Let them speak.

Saint George church

The Dome of St. George was built approximately in the 12th century, while its present shape is from 1637. The tower bell was built in 1608 and is a smaller copy of the famous tower bell of the St. Marco in Venice.

Tartini Square

At the end of the 13th century the Tartini Square became the main town's square. The port was filled in and the spacious square was built, surrounded by all the important buildings of Piran. In the middle of it stands proudly the monument in honour of the famous violinist Giuseppe Tartini.

In 1892, upon the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer, the people of Piran wanted to erect a monument to honour his memory, but due to the works being protracted, Piran had to wait until 1896 for the life-seized bronze statue of the virtuoso to finally be mounted on a high pedestal. The statue is the work of the Venetian sculptor Antonio dal Zotto.

Minorite monastery Piran

The Minorite Monastery of St. Francis was founded in 1301. At the beginning the monastery was built in the gothic style, and consisted only of the ground floor. In a later stage it was renovated and expanded. In the 17thand 18th century 11 priests and 10 monks lived in the monastery. They helped in various schools and had their own school for future monks as well as a music department. It is believed that Tartini himself acquired his basic musical education here.

The town wall

Through the history the town’s centre was protected by walls, whose remains are still hidden in the narrow streets of Piran. From then the wall expanded towards the southeast, embracing new town quarters as they were built. Most of the preserved walls dates back to the 15th and 16th century, and were part of the town’s medieval structure. The remains of the walls on the hillside of Morgon have a special historical value.

THE TOWN

Thanks to the ideal location in the town’s centre, you’ll find numerous restaurants close by, where to enjoy culinary delights with seafood specialties, while listening to the relaxing sounds of the sea. You can conclude your evening in the rhythm of music in the nearby bars and taste excellent local wines and cocktails.