• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky

The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • EUROPE (A to M)
      • ALBANIA
      • AUSTRIA
      • BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
      • BULGARIA
      • CROATIA
      • CZECH REPUBLIC
      • FRANCE
      • GERMANY
      • GREECE
      • HUNGARY
      • ITALY
      • MOLDOVA
      • MONTENEGRO
    • EUROPE (N to Z)
      • NORTH MACEDONIA
      • POLAND
      • PORTUGAL
      • ROMANIA
      • SERBIA
      • SLOVAKIA
      • SLOVENIA
      • SPAIN
      • SWITZERLAND
      • TURKEY
      • UKRAINE
    • CAUCASUS
      • ARMENIA
      • GEORGIA
    • ASIA
      • CAMBODIA
      • HONG KONG
      • INDONESIA
      • JAPAN
      • LAOS
      • MALAYSIA
      • PHILIPPINES
      • THAILAND
      • TAIWAN
      • SINGAPORE
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • MONTREAL, QUEBEC
      • REGIONS OF QUEBEC, CANADA
      • MEXICO
        • Pueblos Magicos of Mexico
      • U.S.A
    • CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
      • COSTA RICA
      • CUBA
      • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
      • GUATEMALA
      • NICARAGUA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • ARGENTINA
      • BRAZIL
      • CHILE
      • COLOMBIA
    • AFRICA
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • MOROCCO
      • TUNISIA
      • ZAMBIA
      • ZIMBABWE
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • Topics
    • Hikes & Adventures
    • Expat Corner
    • The Best and Worst
    • This or That
    • Looking Back…
    • Blogging & Bloggers
    • Deep Thoughts
    • rants & things that suck
    • plane & train travel
    • Airbnb
    • Travel Accessories
    • religion, morality, patriotism
  • Travel Diaries
  • Resources
  • Work with Us

s

Porec’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Euphrasian Basilica

Porec's UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Euphrasian Basilica

Porec’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Euphrasian Basilica

I had never heard of the Euphrasian Basilica, much less did I know that Porec had a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of seven UNESCO sites in Croatia).

Porec is a small seaside town, similar to both Rovinj and Novigrad in size and geography (all are located on spits of land sticking out into the sea). It’s a pretty place with white limestone pavement and is a popular base for tourists who want a holiday of rest and relaxation on the Istrian coast. It’s a laid back town. What makes it spectacular is the Euphrasian Basilica.

 

Porec's UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Euphrasian Basilica
Below: Street entrance to to the Basilica complex

 


 

 

I would usually write a bit about the history of the site. In this case, being a UNESCO site, they’ve done a great job with placards and signs. This placard describes well how today’s present-day Basilica came to be.

 

Euphrasian Basilica sign, Porec, Croatia

 

the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, Croatia
inner courtyard of the complex.

 

The complex, besides the actual Basilica, includes a sacristy, a baptistry, and a bell tower. What makes the Euphrasian Basilica complex so spectacular is its use of mosaics. Floor mosaics covered the original church built in the 4th century (you’ll see them in remnants of them indoors). In the church ‘garden’, you’ll see the mosaic floor of what used to be a Roman house. But the most spectacular use of mosaics is in the apse (the ‘bowl’ above the alter) in the Basilica itself. The apse is not painted as in most churches, it is entirely covered in mosaics of rich tones that sparkle in the light (as you’ll see in photos below). It actually made our jaws drop, something that doesn’t happen often.

 

mosaics in Porec's Euphrasian Basilica
Below: fragments of floor mosaics dating back to the 4th century

 


 

 

Porec's UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Euphrasian Basilica

mosaics in Porec

Porec's UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Euphrasian Basilica
Below: Floor mosaic in the garden, remains of a Roman house.

 

the Euphrasian Basilica, Porec
Incredible mosaics in the apse of the Basilica.

 

the Euphrasian Basilica, Porec

 

the Euphrasian Basilica
remaining mosaic in a side chapel to the Basilica.

 


 

 

The Basilica’s bell tower is worth the small climb for views over Porec. Spanky doesn’t do tower climbs but did it here after being assured that it was an easy and safe climb. It was.

 

Porec’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Euphrasian Basilica
bell tower from the courtyard.

 

Views over the Adriatic in Porec, Croatia

views in Porec Croatia

views in Porec, Croatia
Views from the top of the belltower

 

Porec’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Euphrasian Basilica
The Basilica’s location right next to the sea

.

.


 

 

More of Porec

As mentioned above, Porec is a pretty and laid back town that can easily be be explored within an hour or two. A few photos:

main street, Porec, Croatia
main street cutting through the old town.

 

bell tower in Porec, Croatia
views of the Basilica’s bell tower through an old gate. 

. . 

old town, Porec, Croatia

 

old town Porec, Croatia

church in Porec, Croatia
large square and church at the entrance to the old town.  

 

Would we recommend a visit to Porec? DEFINITELY. There are two main historical sites in Istria that are a MUST: the Amphitheatre in Pula and the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec.

 


 

 

Practical Information on Porec

Note: You can see all the highlights of Istria (the Amphitheatre in Pula, the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, and the beautiful town of Rovinj) on this Full-Day tour from Zagreb. It’s expensive but it’s worth it.

Accommodation. Thinking of staying a night or two in Porec? Some recommendations: Boutique Hotel Melissa (classy, beautiful place right in the center), Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence (right in the center, very nice, good value), Apartman Kika (old town, good value, very nice apartment).

You need a car to get outside Rovinj and explore Istria. Have a look at my post on car rental in Croatia and the most scenic drives.

 


Have you been to Porec? If so, what did you think of it?

 


 

 

Related: Exploring the highlights of Croatian Istria

Related: Exploring the Best of Central Dalmatia

Related: The Hilltowns of Istria. And which you should visit…

.

Ps. If you find our blog helpful, please consider using our links to book your flights, hotels, tours, and car rentals. Have a look at our Travel Resources page.

If you haven’t subscribed yet and want to get our posts and newsletters sent to your email, just insert your email address below

Great! Thank you for subscribing. If you don't receive a confirmation email, please check your Spam box.

Filed Under: CROATIA, EUROPE

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natascha

    July 1, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Really looks like a place worth visiting! Croatia, Montenegro and Albania are quite high on our list of travel destinations. Well, well, we will see. Maybe next year? Thanks for the beautiful pictures.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      July 1, 2016 at 10:36 am

      Thank you Natasha! I love Croatia but also want to go back to Montenegro. Kotor is a place I really enjoy. We’ve also wanted to see Albania – maybe sometime in the future 🙂

      Reply
  2. Andrew

    June 26, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    looks like a really charming spot Frank!

    Reply
  3. Carlos

    June 23, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    All those places you spectacularly show in your posts are inviting us to visit someday, lucky you that can see all that beauty, that is the kind of job I would like to do. Thank you for sharing such wonderful photographs and stories.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 24, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Thank you Carlos! It’s not a job because nobody is paying me, just a hobby 🙂

      Reply
  4. Paula

    June 22, 2016 at 6:16 am

    Like Patti, I’m in awe of these structures and those who built them. Simply amazing! Porec is an incredible find Frank, falls under the radar for most I imagine. Not mine now thanks to you guys 😉 I’m enjoying your time in Croatia. Cannot wait to see where you take us next.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 25, 2016 at 2:17 am

      Thank you Paula! Croatia has a bit of everything. Istria for us is more about hidden gems – it is not as spectacular as parts of Dalmatia – but overall just a great area to relax and enjoy. I think we’ll always come through this area when doing our back and forth between Croatia and the Schengen (as long as that exists!).

      Reply
  5. Kemkem

    June 20, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    The basilica is absolutely freaking stunning! Worth the trip just to see that. The tiles are so well preserved too. I had never heard of Porec .. l love getting history lessons from you, not to mention geography! Love it :-). I am beginning to realize that Croatia can’t be a weekend getaway of sorts..methinks a little more time will be needed. Hopefully we’ll get there next year properly.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 20, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      You’re right – it’s a big, long country and there’s lots to see. You could explore region by region (like Istria in this case) but you would still really need 10 days minimum. Lots of beauty and history!

      Reply
  6. Gilda Baxter

    June 20, 2016 at 6:57 am

    Fabulous Basilica, the mosaics are beautiful. I love getting to a higher place to get a birds eye view of a place, even if it is hard to get to the top, the views are usually so rewarding. You have found some great gems to explore in Croatia.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 20, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you Gilda!

      Reply
  7. Patti

    June 19, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    It’s incredible, isn’t it? The intelligence and ingenuity of those who conceived and built these structures that have stood the test of time. It think it’s a big part of why I find churches, cathedrals, chapels and similar structures so interesting to explore. Whenever I go into an historic building I try to take a couple of moments to just stand or sit and take it in, picturing what it must have been like to walk in the path of those who came before. I love the garden mosaic tiles and it’s amazing they’re still there.

    I’m with Spanky, I don’t do tower climbs. Wicked fear of heights. For my birthday – while in Paris – I was determined to climb the tower at Notre Dame. I managed the climb alright, but froze in panic when I stepped out into the open air. Couldn’t move. I hugged the wall while Abi took in the views but then an angel came out of another tower (she worked there) and asked if she could lead me across to the other stairway so I could go down. I’ll never forget her. She was my angel who wreaked of cigarettes. 🙂

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 19, 2016 at 9:37 pm

      I totally agree with your Patti about religious buildings. I’m in no way religious (I actually have quite strong feelings against it), but religious buildings are the best remaining vestiges of architecture in much of the world.

      Nice story about the Eiffel tower. Spanky doesn’t have a fear of heights, she just a) doesn’t care so much for the views and can’t be bothered with the effort of getting up there b) hates the tight spiral staircases you get in most towers. She gets very claustrophobic.

      Reply
  8. budget jan

    June 19, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    OMG, we went to Porec and didn’t go to the Basilica. We were tagging along with our relatives and just enjoying the day together. I didn’t research beforehand. Don’ t you just hate that. I knew the Basilica was there but not of it’s importance…

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 19, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      Oh no, the horror!! 🙂
      It happens to us all Jan

      Reply
  9. Nancy Pitman

    June 19, 2016 at 3:53 am

    I want to go back to Croatia so bad after looking at these photo’s. Glad to hear you made the trek up the tower BBQBoy otherwise we wouldn’t get to see how great the view is from up there! Bravo!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      June 19, 2016 at 6:07 am

      Thanks Nancy 🙂 Croatia’s one of our favorite spots

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar


Hi! We are Frank & Lissette from Canada. We sold our home in 2014 and have been travelling the world ever since.

About Us

Interested in Spain? See Mapping Spain, our new website that focuses exclusively on Spain

Follow us on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy

Nerja

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok