The Adriatic coast of Slovenia hides a true gem that many tourists wish to uncover – the city of Koper. This settlement is situated not far from the border with Italy. Because of its location, it is not rare to see people speaking not only Slovenian but also Italian in Koper. Tourists enjoy visiting this picturesque region and spending their vacations in this sunny resort on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Despite its small size, the city is quite interesting thanks to a large number of local landmarks and many different entertainment options. Fans of leisure sunbathing and fans of sightseeing will both find Koper very attractive.
The ancient Greek settlement of Aegida was the “forefather” of Koper. During the Roman reign, this settlement had another name, Capro. The modern name of the city derived from it. At the end of the 60s of the 6th century, the population of Tergestum hid in this city from Lombards who were chasing them. The period from the 7th to the 8th century was the toughest for Koper because of the invasions of Francs, Lombards, and Slavs. In the 9th century, Kopar partnered with the Holy Roman Empire in its battle with Venice. As a result of this, Emperor Conrad II granted Koper the town rights and privileges.
The Praetorian Palace on central Tito Square has become the symbol of the Slovenian city. This gorgeous building was finished in the 15th century. This was the first palace built for the city’s administration. Before this, there was a municipality building on its site. Initially, the symbol of Koper was an amazing example of the Venetian Gothic architectural style. Later, the palace got some modifications such as the right wing with the loggia that connects two opposite sides. After numerous restorations, it was decided to replace the spiked gothic windows to oval Renaissance ones.
These were not the only changes in the Praetorian Palace. In the 17th century, the building got a rigged décor that made the building look a bit like a medieval fortress. A statue holding a sword decorated the front of the palace. This statue symbolized justice. Nowadays, the Praetorian Palace is considered one of the best architectural landmarks of the Venetian Republic time. The building now hosts the city administration. Besides that, this is a traditional venue for all kinds of official meetings and events, thematic lectures, and numerous exhibitions that usually attract many locals and guests of the city.
Do you want to see how Slovenian wine is produced? For this purpose, visit Vinakoper that is famous across the country. This winery uses the grapes cultivated in the Koper region. Only the finest grapes are selected, and this is the reason why Vinakoper produces one of the best wines in Slovenia. The total area of the vineyards is almost six hundred hectares. The longest vine grove is only fifteen kilometers from the seaside.
Wine produced by Vinakoper has won international recognition for its taste and unique scent. The company exports its wine to many countries of the world. As this is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Koper, it is hard to imagine a holiday or celebration without domestic wine. Wine from Koper has won many prestigious titles and awards. All wine is made in accordance with an old recipe that is kept in secret. The manufacturer only knows it and doesn’t reveal it. Having learned more about the process of producing wine, visitors are welcome to sample the fragrant drink in a special winery tasting room.
Tourists wishing to swim and sunbathe in Koper can do this at the city beach. This is a pebble beach with a comfortable stone stair that goes to the water. Tourists with children need to be careful because the water is deep even near the shore. The municipal staff maintains the beach clean and makes sure that the quality of service remains high all year long.
Tourists can reach Koper from the nearby Ljubljana. The capital has an international airport that serves many international flights. Comfortable trains connect the two cities, and the journey ride is roughly two and a half hours. If you choose to travel by bus from Ljubljana, the ride will be one hour shorter. There are also routes from Venice, Vienna, and Pula but they are significantly longer. Upon reaching Koper, it is easy to get to the city center by public transport, taxi or on foot.
