Porec Things to Do

  Mosaics above church roofline
by BruceDunning
 
  • Mosaics above church roofline
      Mosaics above church roofline
    by BruceDunning
  • Euphrasian Basilica (Porec, Croatia)
      Euphrasian Basilica (Porec, Croatia)
    by Redang
  • Roman Temple (Porec, Croatia)
      Roman Temple (Porec, Croatia)
    by Redang
  • Mosaic in courtyard above church door
      Mosaic in courtyard above church door
    by BruceDunning
  • Mosaics by the outer basilica wall ruin
      Mosaics by the outer basilica wall ruin
    by BruceDunning
 

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The Euphrasian Basilica complex.
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Maurizioago 661 reviews
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The basilica is the third church that was built on this site between the 4th and the 6th century. The first church was dedicated to Saint Maurus and dated back to the second half of the 4th century. The present church was built by bishop Euphrasius in the 6th century. Inside you can admire several mosaics around the apse. They depict Christ with the Apostles. The Virgin and Jesus child; twelve female saints. Saints Maurus, saint Euphrasius and other saints.

The church is part of a complex that includes a courtyard, a baptistery, a bell tower, and a bishop palace. This palace was built in the 6th century and houses a collections of religious artefacts. Under the palace various mosaics and roman remains are stored. The complex also includes what remains of the previous churches; a large floor mosaic of the first one and various stone walls.

I have read on the web that all the complex is fully opened until october 15. From this date on you can only visit the church.

Updated Oct 6, 2011

Address: Eufrazijeva ulica.

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North Tower
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BruceDunning 3124 reviews
Stone tower and wall
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This tower was built in 1473, and was a strong defense form land side attacks. The concern back then was the Turks trying to gain control form Venice. This tower is of eroding stone stacked high and cemented in some places, and inside has a small grotto effect that probably was for arsenal needs

Updated Jun 8, 2010

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Round Tower & Pentagon Tower
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View of Round Tower
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These are two of three towers that are remaining from older days when there were nine towers of defense. They were on the outer perimeter of defense walls, when the old town was smaller. The Round tower was built in the second half of the 15th century, during Venetian control.
The Pentagon Tower is from the same era, and it also is well preserved. There is a winged lion statue engraved.
The real disappointment is that neither of these towers are for tourist viewing as a museum, or just a structure you can go inside and walk the stairs. Instead the Round tower is a cafe/bar and once you get to the top, you feel compelled to buy something. Then the price sets in. A beer was $5 and coffee $3. Then we got to the Pentagon tower, and again wandered up the stairs for a view. Well, this is an upscale restaurant, and again trying to be cordial, I ordered a beer and Micky had a wine. The outrageous prices here was 60 kuna, or $11. That is the price you pay for knowing not to venture too far, or turn around.
Round tower is at Nardoni Trg and by the harbor edge. Pentagon Tower is Decumanus and Sv Eluterija-by Euphrasius church

Updated Jun 8, 2010

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Romanesque House
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BruceDunning 3124 reviews
Wooden veranda stands out on stone facade
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This is a unique structure that is from the 13th century, and restored in 1930. The wooden veranda is the centerpiece of the architecture. The house has an exhibit room on the ground floor when open; not when we were there.

Written Jun 8, 2010

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Temple Neptune-Roman Ruins
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Temple Neptune ruin
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This is located at the ti of the island just past Trg Marafor in the square. Take a street on the right side. The ruins are hidden unless you are on the water side, and even then not too visible. The temple was dedicated to the god of the Sea; Neptune. This temple is from the 1st century AD,and was part of a whole Roman Forum complex at Trg Marafor area. In Latin is is called Parentium. Also next to this temple is ruins of Temple of Mars, the largest Roman shrine in the Adriatic region. It also is from about 1AD.

Written Jun 8, 2010

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Euphrasius Map-Bishop Palace and Treasury Museum
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Map of the basilica complex
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This is one of the highlights of the overall tour of the facility. It appears few people go into the Bishop Palace area, and if not reading are not aware of the great artifacts and reliquary inside, many religious icons and art, and private areas for the Bishops. It was all built in beginning of 553 along with the basilica, and took 20 years to complete. Take the tour; it is a large area to tour and very nice. This was just opened in 2000, and it is not widely explained, or promoted, but should be.

Updated Jun 8, 2010

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrasian_Basilica

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Euphrasian Oratory/Roman Floor Mosaics
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Intricate artwork of mosaics
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This is a remainder of a floor is from a later part of the 300's AD, when this was an oratory for the congregation to pray. It previously was a Roman house. The mosaics are very well preserved and the scenes tell tailing. To see this site, you need to pay an entry of $3 or $4 to get into the Bishop Palaces and the museum areas.

Updated Jun 8, 2010

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrasian_Basilica

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Euphrasius Tower and Baptistery
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Tower behind the baptistery-next to it
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The bell tower is well worth the trek up to the top for the view of the town. It was built in the 16t5h century. It is not very tall, at maybe 150 feet, and the steps are okay, but narrow. The octagon baptistery was build in the 6th century along with the basilica at that time. It has had some damage from weather and ravage over the years, but still maintains its original shape.

Updated Jun 8, 2010

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrasian_Basilica

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Euphrasius Church-the Courtyard Decor Views
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Courtyard and entry to BAptisery
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There is a lot of nice mosaics and ornate architecture in the courtyard that is in front of the church itself. To see all the wonderful sites, you need to look up and around; a lot of tourists do not.

Updated Jun 8, 2010

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Euphrasian Basilica
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The main alter of the church
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In 1997 the entire complex was designated a UNESCO heritage site, and for good reason. This has been very well preserved from the 553 year that construction began on the church. The first sacral structure was Maurus' Oratory from the last part of the 3rd century with part of the mosaic preserved. Maurus was a Bishop during the infancy of Christianity in the region, and yes, he became a martyr with Diocletian ridding those who believed in Christ. His remains are in the church.
The decor of the church had Byzantine influence, and especially the mosaic works that is refined to great intricate details of a picture story. The complex is hard to show-but in another page is a map of the church layout for viewing. You are able to look into the courtyard, go up the bell tower, and especially a great treat is the Roman mosaics form the original church, a Bishopric living area, a museum, and many art pieces in a treasury area

Updated Jun 8, 2010

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