Porec is a picturesque town situated on the western Istrian coast. 
But, the town's historical story begins 2 thousand years ago. After many nations who have settled on this area, the one’s with who the history begins are the Romans. When the Romans conquered the Histris, begins another long cultural and political period. On the Porec peninsula, they have build the army fortification and named it Castrum. Futhermore, after a certain time period, this settlement was announced the central City of the Roman administrative, cultural and economical colonization.
First Porec Bishop was called Mavar. After the agony he passed through, and after the assassination, he was proclaimed the Saint and a Patron of the City. After the incident, Porec became a Bishopric and after 300 years, Bishops built the Christian Cathedral.
Later than 200 years ag o, the Church becomes more influenced and strong. The Bishop Euphrasie came on this area and left the important impression on the Church and its governing. He build a Basilica on the same place where was settled the Cathedral.
Basilica got name after the Bishop and 2000 years after, the Euphrasius Basilica has pass all these years protected as much can be. It is preserved only one side part of the Basilica. Today is the most precious and amazing cultural monument. It is under the UNESCO-s protection on the World List of Preserved Cultural Heritage.
Furthermore, much colonization passed through the Porec area and tried to conquer the town, until one year Porec was taken by the Venetian Republic. They build the amazing and most beautiful Fortifications, Castles, Gothic Palaces and because of that important development, Porec received the City Statute. By those changes, many cultural but political guidelines developed and advanced.
During that time period, Porec was the main city of Istria and was the center of all political, legal, and educational programs. All the schools, courthouses and administrations where settled in Porec.
Today, after thousand years ago, Venetians and Romans left so many traces in Porec, many monuments and historical conclusions of their existence, like: North Fortress; Pentagonal Fortress; Canonic; Middle Ages Bulwarks; Istrian Assembly Hall; Marafor Forum Romanum; The Two Saints House; Romanesque House; Big Neptun Temple; Gothic House; Round Fortress; Palace Zucchato; Franciscan Gothic Church and Church of our Lady Andela.
Porec culture reaches the pre-historic time, influencing on today's cultural and artistic movements of home people. Besides, the City treasures the tradition and customs of the inhabitant’s ancestor. During the summer, the city enlivens and becomes the magical and historical place turning you 1000 years back .
Many festivals and amusing events are organized, including the entertainment for every maternal age, like: Porec Cultural Summer including all the cultural and art performances of various artists; Retro Sound of 80's & 90's in the MMC Atelier;
Istria Cup; International Football Tournament; Motor Show Porec 2008 as the Cars and Motorcycles Fair; Rally Race - Race of Champions; Flowers Fair Porec; ViniIstra the International Vines Fair and exhibition; Istria Terra Magica Bike Race; European Dance Contest; International Tennis Tournament; Street Art Festival placed on the Old Town streets where are settled the musical performances, artistic exhibitions, mulitimedia and acrobatic shows and many more..jpg)
Additionally, if you prefer to visit the national treasures, there are galleries which keep the most famous arts, and those are: Art Souvenirs; Art Studio Varzic; Atelier Gallery; Atelier 1; Fenix; Gallery M; Gallery Roco; Gallery Istrian Assembly Hall; Two Saints House Gallery; National University; The Palace Zuccato and The Romanesque House Gallery.
Besides, the City has two Theaters: Theater Exit and Porec Theater; and has one cinema, the Cinema Porec for those who prefer the peaceful vacation and cultural laudation.
The City has one museum, the Local History Museum where are settled regional treasures and monuments evidencing the history as once was.
The museum is situated in the Baroque Palace Sincic from the 18th century. At the ground floor of the complex is settled the Lapidarium with the Roman monuments and the archaeological collection with the Pre-Historic ceramics; at the other floors are settled the Baroque Salon with the artistic paintings and objects, the portraits and objects collection of a Slovenian family Carli, the collection of Medieval Sculptures and a wealthy historical library with the preserved documentation.
Very interesting exhibition held is the Porec Annale which is the oldest Croatian Art Exhibition of the Modern Art. It is settled at the Gallery Istrian Assembly Hall in the heart of the old town. International and home artists expose their work in the gallery.
Those places are worth to visit to learn more about the national history of Istrian people.
Porec, very entertaining city offers various amusement and crazy fun. In the old town, on the main piazza, during the summer are held numerous cultural and entertaining shows, live concerts and dance performances. Every hotel organizes live music dance shows on their terraces, also the folklore performing groups and similar manifestations.
Considering the
concerts, there are held: Classical Music Concerts in the atrium of the Euphrasian Basilica where perform the music vocalists, instrument soloists, symphony orchestra and various choirs; Jazz Concerts
in the City Museum
garden; Meetings of cultural and artistic groups; Concerts, Theater and Cinema performances, and much more.
For those who prefer parties and all night long amusement, Porec offers following Clubs: Disco Club Byblos; Colonia Club; Club International which also has its Casino Club and Margarita Disco Club. Besides those, you can find numerous restaurants, coffee bars, taverns, patisseries, and related relaxed places to spend an interesting evening.
This city is the ideal vacation place which offers numerous contests during the daytime. Besides enjoying the crystal blue sea and Mediterranean sky, you can choose between many sport and recreational activities.
Those are: sailing, scuba diving, tennis, cycling, walking, wellness treatments, golf, fishing and hunting, speleological features, beach volley ball, surfing, sport climbing, horse back riding, jet ski drive, waterskiing, paragliding, para flying, bungee jumping, and Adrenalin Park Akros where are exposed many more extreme features for the adrenalin lovers.
Furthermore, Porec offers spread choice of amusement during the day.
For those who do not prefer sport activities but rather do excursion of surrounding areas, Porec offers: Limski Channel tour; Cove Baredine; Inner Istria Tours; Plitvice Lakes; Inner Istria Off Road races; City Pula , National Park Brijuni; Boat panoramic trip through the Porec archipelago and many more.
Another very interesting visit place is the Porec Aquarium. There are available to see numerous different species of the underwater world.
Regional Number Code 052
Police Department 92 / 432-555; Fire Department 93 / 451-122; Emergency 94 / 451-244; Bus Station 432-153; Airport Pula 550-900; Ambulance 451-611; Harbour/Ferry 452-021; Tourist Office 451-293; Railway Station Pula 541-733; General Information 981.
Porec can be reached: By bus which connects all the mains cities and other settlements along Croatia; By train to the nearest railway station; By plane to the nearest airport; By boat to the nearest main port or By personal boat to the smaller port or marina; By personal vehicle which is the most reliable and secure way of traveling.
