Koper, Slovenia

Pretorium Palace

A multi-storey palace with an external staircase run and two wings, resembling towers in their appearance, is the most significant secular building in the city. The building’s façade in the late Gothic style and the unique décor of its interior rooms place the palace among the best examples of secular architecture in Slovenia from that period. The palace was built from two ancient houses in the mid-13th century. In the second half of the 13th century, the houses were connected by a loggia and then rebuilt several times, so that the final version of the structure differed in style as Venetian Gothic. Between the two tower-like wings, there is a powerful façade with a large amount of, a staircase run, and a balcony located above the arch.

Belgramoni-Tacco Palace

Belgramoni-Tacco Palace was built in the 17th century and is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque palaces in Koper. After the First World War, a city museum of history and art was located here. Today, it houses a regional museum whose collection is devoted to the valuable cultural heritage of North Istria from the earliest times to the present day. The palace’s name is two-part because, at one time, the palace was lost in a game of chance by a member of the Belgramoni family and passed into the ownership of the Tacco family. After the last member of the Tacco family died without leaving an heir, the building began to be used by the municipality for cultural events.

City bell tower

If you climb a flight of stairs with 204 steps, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings from the top of the bell tower. The total height of the tower is 54 meters, and the viewing platform is located at a height of 43 meters. Once, the bell tower was part of the Roman fortification structures. In the 15th-17th centuries, the tower was rebuilt into a bell tower used for liturgical processions.

Carpaccio Mansion

Legend has it that a famous Venetian artist, Vittore Carpaccio, once lived here, but in reality, only his son Benedetto lived here in the first half of the 16th century. The Carpaccio mansion is an exceptionally beautiful example of 14th-century Gothic architecture. The building’s current appearance was shaped during restoration works in 1935 and 1955.

Old Town

The historic center of Koper is full of charm thanks to its narrow streets and medieval houses built in the Italian style. The city is home to a large number of architectural monuments of the Venetian Republic, in particular the famous Praetorian Palace. Here you should see the magnificent Tito’s Square (Titus Square), the Loggia building (1464, today it houses cafés and an art gallery), the St. Mary’s Cathedral (15th century), the Church of St. Nicholas (16th century), the Rotunda of John the Baptist (Carmin, 1317), the Church of St. Basso (16th century), the Foresteria and Ameria arsenals, the old granary Fontico (14th century), the city gates of Muda (1516) and numerous palaces.

Zoo

One of the most attractive sights in the city is the zoo. It is not only an amusement park, but also a fairly well-known research center. The zoo is enormous, and the variety of animals kept there is very wide, so many tourists who are interested in the animal world often choose Koper as their holiday destination: there are many opportunities to watch the behavior of different animals.

Guided sightseeing walk in Koper

Koper is the capital of Slovenian Istria, the largest Slovenian coastal city. Here you’ll see many architectural landmarks from the Venetian Republic era, as well as a variety of shops and souvenir stalls.

Walking tour in Ljubljana

“Little Prague” - this is what this wonderful city is sometimes called, located on the banks of the Ljubljanica River, at the foot of the Julian Alps. The beauty of Ljubljana makes your head spin and takes your breath away. After looking at photos from those who have been there, you immediately want to start packing and set off on your journey. Ljubljana is the cultural, educational, economic, political, and administrative center of Slovenia. During the excursion, you will see the old town, where the most interesting buildings and landmarks are located, such as the Town Hall, the Franciscan Church, the Francesco Robba Fountain, the famous Triple Bridge, and much more. Along one of the ancient lanes, you can make your way up to the medieval Ljubljana Castle, which is a symbol of the old town. After the excursion, you will have free time. You can also take another unhurried stroll through the winding streets of the Old Town, visit the many souvenir shops and boutiques, and sit down at a restaurant located on one of the terraces along the river.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.