Slovenia: Piran

From Trieste, Italy we headed south along the west coast of Istria, first to Piran. For the straight line distance of 21 kilometers, we had to first take an International bus to Koper, Slovenia, then switch to a local bus. However, there were good views of the Trieste Port and Adriatic Sea on the way; not to mention the The 5-star Palace Hotel Portorož (1910). Note that the Koper bus station only looks like a headon view of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) commanded by James T Kirk, but not in person. ;-)











Like the rest of coastal Istria, Piran is Venetian at its heart. Though they went from Venetian domination to the Habsburgs, the people remained mostly Italian speaking. WWI left Istria to Italy; WWII left Trieste to Italy but the rest of Istria to Yugoslavia.

Yugoslavia then carved out northern Istria to give Slovenia access to the Adriatic. The rest of Istria went with Croatia. Italian speaking people exited en masse. Istria (not including Trieste) is now mostly populated with Slavic people. This happened less than 100 years ago!

Piran old town is situated on a low hill at the end of a peninsula, with a warren of medieval alleys and stairs going every which way. It attracts many day trippers. There was a cruise ship offshore, tendering its passengers ashore.







The next day we had a coastal wall to the cliffs of Strunjan, passing Strunjan saltpans along the way. There are big saltpans to the south. Salt used to be a source of income for Piran.

The clear waters of the Adriatic surround Piran. There are several harbours as well.






Local artists have enlivened the riprap seawall.


Our hotel was near the fish market (1st below)


We headed out for sunset views over the Adriatic and were not disappointed






And then returned to Tartini Square.




The next morning we embarked on the coastal walk from Piran to Strunjan and back. Is the Adriatic always this clear?




Oh my! Hurry across!


Walking through the village of Fjesa, we passed an olive grove.




We were surprised to see a big resort hotel, the Salinera Resort Strunjan and its beach. But later there was an extensive public "beach" area.




Next on the walk, we came to the Strunjan nature preserve and Historic Strunjan Salina (Salt Pans).








Adjacent is a small boat harbour.


We were again surprised by the expanse of facilities at the public Strunjan Promenade and Swimming Area. Tourists love to sun and swim.




Then up to the cliffs - good views back to Piran - before turning around at "The Point"








Lunch spot view.


And we're back in Piran.

Italy: Archaeological Area of Aquileia

From Trieste, we made a day trip to Aquileia by train and bus. Aquileia didn't get on our radar until I looked around for things to do around Trieste. Today Aquileia, UNESCO 1998, is a small village of a few thousand people. In the 2nd century CE, Aquileia was estimated to have 100,000 people, and was considered a "Second Rome." Aquileia was sacked and destroyed by Attila the Hun in 452. The migration of refugees from Aquileia is often linked to the founding of Venice.

Aquileia isn't particularly well preserved and excavated. The major thoroughfare thru town bisects the Forum. The most prominent features were the rather uncommon river harbor, and mosaics. Mosaic was popular during Roman times, and was deployed in early Christian churches, as in the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. While many of the mosaics were geometric, there were acres of them.

We arrived at Aquileia by bus. We spotted a sign with a reconstruction of the Roman City, passed a pile of cremation urns and a relocated mausoleum, then headed straight to the Roman Road.








We happened to visit on one of the two "Archaeology Days" of the year when archaeologists give tours. So we headed over to the Roman Forum.




Then we walked on the mulit-purpose trail to the Paleochristian Museum, housed in the ruin of a Roman Christian Basilica with a mosaic floor, the second best church mosaic floor in Aquileia. Keep reading. The museum also houses the floor of the Basilica of Fondo Tullio on a mezzanine level modern addition. This is early Christian symbolism.








And down into the floor of the basilica.






There was a Roman Port on the 48 meters wide Natissa River, but the river is now silted up.




The Roman House of Titus Macer was cool. To conserve the site, a roof was built in the presumed shape of the original.






We took a break at the lunch hour and visited the weekend Roman Encampment.






The 11th century Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta Complex has 5 key components.

• The Baptistery and adjacent halls/li>
  
  
• The 11th century Basilica and its 4th century Christian 4th-century floor mosaics depicting the story of Jonah, the Good Shepherd, and moire.





• TThe 12th century Crypt of Frescoes



• The Crypt of the Excavations where a section of the 4th-century mosaic floor was destroyed when a massive bell tower was built in the 11th century /li>
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The 11th century bell tower.

The site museum was excellent. In the entrance hall, a pair of telemons / atlantes.


Medalion.


Cremation Urns.


Ancient Roman Portrait Heads and Busts


Abduction of Europa Mosaic


The coolest part of the museum was the series of Visitable Storerooms. Reminded me of the penultimate scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.