Best things to do in Koper

See one of Slovenia's oldest bells and take in excellent views of the bay at Koper Cathedral and Bell Tower, whose simple exterior with Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements belies a luxurious Baroque interior. A large oval window above the main portal dominates the facade plated with white marble. Built in the 12th century, the church and the tower were restored on several occasions. The four-story tower holds a bell from 1333; for a small fee you can climb to the upper terrace and enjoy panoramic views of the bay. Admire the 18th-century Venetian-style frescoes adorning the interior walls of the church, and behind the altar don't miss the 14th-century chiseled sarcophagus of St. Nazarius, featuring the image of the bishop on the lid.

The Praetorian Palace is a 15th-century Venetian Gothic palace in the city of Koper, in southwest Slovenia. Located on the southern side of the city's central Tito Square, it houses the Koper city government and a wedding hall. It is considered one of the city's architectural landmarks.HistoryAn earlier municipal hall existed on the same site by 1254, before the square itself Work on a new building began after the original was destroyed during a major revolt in 1348, but the incomplete building was again destroyed in 1380 by a Genoese raid that sacked and burned the city in that year. The current structure dates from the mid-15th century, having been begun in 1452-1453.The left wing and the portico leading from the square to the colorful via Calegaria were the first to be completed, while the right wing dates from the 1480s. In 1505, the Porto del Corte was added; the renaissance gateway supports a small terrace and connected the Praetorian Palace with the Foresteria.The external staircase facing Tito Square was completed in 1447. In 1481, Giovanni Vitturi replaced peaked gothic windows with semicircular renaissance ones. The arms of the city governors on the facade attest to the fact that the balustrade was not completed until the beginning of the 16th century. The center of the crenellated portico features a statue of Justice. The main facade took its present shape in 1664, when a thorough renovation rearranged the numerous plaques and arms set into it. Additional ornaments and signage are fixed into the palace's Cobblers' Street wall, testifying to its status during the time it served as the seat of the city podestà, the Captaincy, and the Grand Council .

Explore the largest known underground canyon in the world at Škocjan Caves, a World Heritage Site famous for its many waterfalls, diverse stalactite formations, and limestone pools. The caves feature 6 km (3.7 mi) of underground passages and one of the largest underground halls. With a total depth of over 200 m (656 ft), this system of limestone caves was inhabited as early as Mesolithic times. On your way through, you will pass a 116 m (380 ft) long tunnel, a dry river bed, a so-called "silent cave" and "murmuring cave." Look out for the huge stalagmites called the Giants and the Organ. The highlight of the trip is crossing over a 45 m (148 ft) high bridge. Bring a light jacket and put on good walking shoes since the paths can be slippery.

Ride on a double-track railway through the underground tunnels of Postojna Cave and see colorful rock formations, as well as the 100 species that make the caves their home. One of the largest caves in the extensive karst plateau features 21 km (13 mi) of passages, galleries, and chambers illuminated by electric lighting. A historical train takes you to large halls adorned with chandelier-like stalactites and limestone "sculptures," such as "the brilliant," a shiny white limestone formation. Meet the olm, a salamander popularly called the dragon's offspring or the human fish. Archduke Ferdinand I was the first to officially visit the cave in 1819, but several writings on the cave walls date all the way back to the 13th century. Note that audioguides are available in a range of languages.

Perched on a high, rocky cliff for over 700 years, the unconquerable four levels of Predjama Castle were built within a cave mouth. Cross a drawbridge over a rushing river and visit the restored living quarters, chapel, and dungeon to get an idea of how people once lived here. The castle's most famous resident and the subject of many legends was Erazem Lueger, a 15th-century knight who rebelled against the Austrian emperor. See his hiding place called Erazem's Nook and ascend along Erazem's Tunnel. Do not miss the 16th-century treasure chest uncovered in the cellar in 1991. An observation post offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The castle entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest cave castle in the world.

We are a small farm growing indigenous herbs and producing natural and organic hydrosol and essential oils.

For those who are looking for rustic accommodation we can offer 3 room (for 2 prs.) and you can also place your own tent in a small campsite on our property.

There is always a small swimming pool waiting for you to refresh yourself during hot summer days!

For aromatherapy lovers we organise workshops and courses of steam distillation, natural cosmetics, ....

Everyday we prepare delicious home-made local dishes from seasonal fresh vegetables, fruits. We bake our own focaccia with different toppings.

We are very proud to our products from herbs (hydrosols, essential oils) available under brand HISTRIA BOTANICA.

We assure you that:

1. Plants are breed from indigenous seeds of peninsula of Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic sea, Mediterranean,

2. Every plant is planted by hand,,

3. Herbs production satisfies ecological standards,

4. Plants are harvested when the concentration of volatile oil is at its highest,

5. Essential oil and hydrosol are processed in our own steam distillery with spring water from Dragonja river,

6. It is stored in special, dark glass vials for easier preservability over longer periods of time,

7. Analyses of the quality of substances will be done seasonally,

8. Everything in our process is done with care and love to nature.

Put one euro in the locked gate to access the stairs and climb to the top of Walls of Piran, offering views of the city and the sea. The three walls were built during the town's long history, and large parts remain well-preserved today. See the ruins of the first wall from the 7th century in the old part of the town. The third wall with its seven towers built between 1470 and 1533 is almost completely intact. As you explore the walls, look for the oldest of the eight city entrances or "gates," which dates back to the 13th century. Among other gates, pay attention to the city's best-preserved Gothic doors, constructed in 1483 by mayor Dolfin.

Sitting close to the water's edge, paved with white marble and surrounded by elegant 19th-century buildings, Tartini Square serves as the largest square in town and a hub of activity. The square was part of the harbor until 1894, when it was filled in and mounted with a statue of violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, after whom the square is named. Most of the buildings are older than the square itself; be sure to look for the Gothic house, the only building that has preserved its original exterior. The square's distinctive oval shape comes from the time when it served as an electric railway station; today it's a pedestrianized zone. Relax with a beer, have a bite of pizza or pastry at one of the outdoor cafes, and watch the locals go about their daily lives.

Since the 1950s, Koper Regional Museum has been inside a palace from the 17th century. The collection contains paintings, sculptures, as well as arts and crafts items in chronological order and sorted by theme. Look especially for medieval sculptures from the 9th-11th centuries, and inscriptions in the glagolitic alphabet.