Koper, Slovenia

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View of Old Town Koper from the air.

Our docking spot was right across from this freighter being unloaded.

By the looks of these metal discs placed around the mooring lines, it seems that even modern ships have to take precautions so the rats don't find a new home onboard. 

15th-century Praetorian Palace and Loggia in Venetian Gothic style. It used to be the podestà's seat, today it houses the Koper city government 

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The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the same location once occupied by a Roman basilica. The history of the Cathedral goes back to the 12th century, when the city acquired its own diocese. Today's front combines Gothic (the lower part) and Renaissance styles (the upper part). 

The following are some of the treasures and artwork found in the cathedral.

 

The day our ship was in port the "new" organ was being tested. The organ, which came from the famous Tonhalle concert hall in Zurich, is the second largest in Slovenia.  It weighs 16 ton and has over 5,500 pipes. 

Town tower in Tito square, was once part of a Roman fortification.  Attached to the south side of the Cathedral, it became a bell tower between the 15th and 17th centuries. It houses one of the oldest bells in Slovenia, dating back to 1333. After climbing it's 204 steps, you have a panoramic view of the city Koper.

The Cathedral and Bell Tower are in Tito Square along with other historic buildings...

and Da Ponte Fountain which acquired its current Baroque appearance in 1666, when podestá Lorenzo Da Ponte had it rebuilt. The octagonal fountain pool with an arch is further decorated with pyramids, coats-of-arms, stone faces, other motives and a fence.  The fountain was used until 1898. 

At the southern end of Prešernov trg is the Muda Gate. Erected in 1516, it's the last of a dozen such entrances to remain standing. On the south side of the archway you'll see the city seal: the face of a youth in a sunburst.

Along with every other town along the Adriatic, Venetian influences are everywhere.  You know its Venetian when you see the Venetian Lion.  St Mark's Lion, also called the Venetian lion normally has wings, very often holds a book below its paw, and sometimes is completed by a halo around its head. These three elements (wings, book, halo) reveal it as a symbol of Saint Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the city of Venice.

The street leading to Tito Square has some of the historic homes whose second story projected out over the street.  This one has a very interesting paint pattern.