Thursday, July 12, 2012

Piran, Slovenia

Piran is a popular port town in southwest Slovenia.  The population is ~1,400 people.  It's a charming little town to walk around and check out the sights. 



However, I think that the best part of Piran is the Adriatic Sea.








The town walls were built in order to protect Piran from Ottoman invasions.  The walls were finally completed between 1470 and 1534.  Many parts of the walls are still standing and offer great views of the town.



Tartini Square is the town's largest, and main square, in the middle of Piran.  It is named after Giuseppe Tartini - a famous violinist and composer. 




The Tartini monument was erected in 1896.

 

The St. Francis church and monastery complex dates back to the beginning of the 14th century.

 


St. George is the town's patron saint.  St. George's Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church.  It was consecrated in 1637.  The bell tower was completed in 1608.




The First of May Square is home to the statues of Justice and Law.  They date back to 1776.  The square was the center of the town until the Middle Ages.
View of Piran from the town wall

I found it interesting that Piran elected a black mayor in 2010.  Dr. Peter Bossman moved from Ghana to Slovenia in the late 1970s.  He is the first black mayor elected in what was once communist eastern Europe. 

1 comment:

  1. We visited Piran a few years ago and it really is a nice town :)

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