Town history

Poreč was founded over 2000 years ago by the Romans. During the 2nd century BC, the Romans founded a military camp on the small peninsula with approximate dimensions of 400 m by 200 m which is today the historical city centre of Poreč. The streets in the historical city centre have maintained the same layout to the present day. During the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century Poreč grew into an important economic and administrative center as it officially became a city and was part of the Roman colony of Colonia Iulia Parentium.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, Poreč was first ruled by the Ostrogoths, and after 539 it became part of the Byzantine Empire. During Byzantium the Euphrasius Basilica was built and today it is the most important historical monument in Poreč, included in the Register of World’s Heritage and protected by the UNESCO.

From 788 Poreč was ruled by the Franks, and then it had a short independence period, followed by the rule of in the Patriarchate of Aquileia in the 12th century.

In 1267 Poreč became the first Istrian city that chose to become part of the Republic of Venice, whose rule lasted for more than five centuries. During this period several beautiful palaces, squares and religious buildings in Venetian style were built. In 1363 the town was given the City Statute. In the 15th century the impressive city fortification was built.

After the fall of the Republic of Venice, Poreč was governed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the First World War with the exception of a short rule of Napoleon between 1805 and 1814.

In 1861, Poreč became the capital of Istria and the seat of the regional Parliament. It had schools, administrative and judiciary offices, and other services. It developed into a shipbuilding center and a popular tourist resort for the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy.

After 1918, it was annexed by the Kingdom of Italy. From 1945 to 1991 Poreč was a city of Croatia, a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1991 Croatia became an independent state.