Piran: I FEEL sLOVEnia Adventure
Picturesque Piran (pee-RAHN) pop. 4,200, down from 7,500 a century ago, is small and compact, crowded onto the tip of its peninsula, with no room to grow. Piran has been settled since ancient times, and it is thought that the town's name comes from the Greek word for fire (pyr). In those days, fires were lit at Punta, the very tip of the peninsula, to guide ships to the port at Aegida (now Koper). The Romans established a settlement here called Piranum after their victory over the Illyrians and Celts. Later, Venetian rule began in the late 13th century and lasted in one form or another for more than 500 years. Nearby Venice was Piran's (Pirano in Italian) biggest customer for the salt which it produced. Today Piran is one of the best preserved historical towns anywhere on the Adriatic and is protected by the Slovenian government in its entirety as a cultural monument. Come, take a look a this Venetian Gothic gem surrounded by its boat-speckled harbor and marvelous Tartini Square with Neoclassical buildings and landmark bell tower of the Cathedral of St. George. Embrace the light, the sea, steep alleyways strung with laundry drying, brightly colored structures and shutters and centuries old churches and arches. All of this within a small colorful town complete with fresh produce, seafood, pizza, gelato and kave (coffee). And climb all 146 rickety steps to the very top of the bell tower for the best view in town - just one Euro and you come back with some amazing photos.
Read More
Second Stop - wonderful Italian Pizza at Flora.
There, betwen the two windows, for all of Piran to see is a stone relief of a lion with a banner in its mouth and the Latin inscription "Lassa pur dir" above it. The translation is a reminder for the merchant's loose lipped neighbors: "Let them talk"
