koper capodistria

KOPER
CAPODISTRIA
www.koper.si
The rich history is the testimony of the past experiences and adventures, stories of bad and again better
times and about people who created and lived here.
Koper was founded on a rocky island with the Roman name Capris. Insula Capraria (“goat island”), Insula Capritana, Iustinopolis, Caput Histriae
(‘head of Istria’), Capo d’Istria are the names used through its rich history.
Koper, presents as a hidden Mediterranean city, surrounded by sea and hills, which hold
its remarkable rich thousand-year history. The walk through the old streets and squares,
narrates about transitions and effects that have left their mark on the city. Koper also offers
active, sporting holidays, adding his inspiration with traditional cultural events. Summer
nights slowly, almost imperceptibly blend into the night while various events overwhelm
the city and attract curious people far and wide.
Mysterious countryside in the Land of Refošk, offers specific gastronomic and wine experiences, evokes memories of the past and shows the visitor the true pleasures of the Mediterranean climate. Today, Koper is a commercial and tourist city, which continues to develop
its offer in terms of seaside resorts, nautical tourism, sports and shopping. It has also become a University City. The Port of Koper is the only Slovenian international cargo port and
a port of call for passenger ships on the Passenger terminal Koper.
With a variety of attractive tourist destinations in a relatively small area, easily reachable by
bus, first-class services and safety is a definitely excellent choice for your staying.
Most important monuments and attractions
Visitors can discover the city through many different splendid Venetian-style palaces, magnificent churches and
many small picturesque squares.
o Tito square (Church-cathedral of Mary’s Assumption, Bell tower, Praetorian palace, Foresteria, Armeria, Loggia)
o Čevljarska ulica (Shoemaker’s street), Kidričeva street, Župančičeva street (Carli palace - the oldest dated fountain
in Slovenia)
o France Prešeren square (Da Ponte fountain, Muda gate, city walls)
o Carpaccio square (House Carpaccio, Taverna, St. Justine’s column)
o Monastery church of St. Anne
o Natural reserve Škocjanski zatok
o Vinakoper (the largest wine cellar in Slovenian Istria with the largest wooden barrel in Slovenia and one of the
largest in Europe)
Most important monuments and attractions in the hinterland of Koper
Also the hinterland of Koper offers to its visitors many possibilities of short trips on which can experience great adventures.
- World-famous frescoes »The dance of the dead« in the church of Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje,
- The Castle of Socerb,
- Holy cave in Socerb (the only existing underground church in Slovenia),
- Living Museum in Krkavče,
- House of Bardinc in Lopar
- Carst Edge (Kraški rob; natural border between coastal-Mediterranean and continental part of Slovenia),
- Spodmoli (rock shelters) and natural bridge in Sočerga
- Osp wall (climbing wall),
- Ressel’s grove in Ankaran,
- valley of Dragonja,
- Mountain Slavnik,
- cycling through Parenzana (The way of health and friendship), …
Istrian gastronomy
Istrian gastronomy which is based on modest and variegated dishes is considered to be extremely healthy. The old
Istrian cuisine which, differed depending on the season, was based on several basic ingredients such as vegetables,
wild vegetation, wheat and corn flour, fish and, of course, the domestic olive oil. We can also find an entire range of
indigenous dishes in the Istrian cuisine which are unique and would be difficult to find elsewhere in the world. Our
wines - the malvazija and refošk – with the millennial tradition and their own event are world famous and a part of
our rich cultural heritage. Increasingly popular are the production of Sweet Muscat, Cipro, Yellow Muscat and many
other.
Several typical dishes are also tied to specific holidays.
- at Christmas, the “fritole” (fried strips of dough), the bakala (codfish) on white with polenta and cabbage.
- for Easter, “pince” (a type of sweetbread), “tičice” (a type of sweetbread, shaped into a braid, together with hardboiled eggs), indigenous Istrian “nakelda” (a type of fried dumpling with goat’s cheese, raisins and day old bread).
- for the holiday blessing (šagra) “hroštule” (flancati – crisp deep fried pastry), štruklji (dumplings) and other sweet
dishes.
- for the day of Ascension (forty days following Easter), fennel with pork tongue and polenta (typical for Krkavče).
- Characteristic istrian gastronomic souvenir is the fig loaf (made of dried ground figs, formed into a loaf together
with fig or grape juice and lightly rolled in flour.)
Other typical dishes:
- istrian jota (made with sauerkraut and beans),
- fritaja (typical spring egg omelette containing wild asparagus, pre-roasted with prosciutto or bacon),
- istrian štruklji (made from stretched dough with diverse fillings and always boiled),
- fish in marinade ‘šavor’ (marinating small sea fish),
- calamari (prepared in a number of ways; grilled, stuffed, fried or with risotto)
- olive bread and fig bread (festively enriched bread made of white flour to which sliced or mashed olives or dried
figs are added)
- fuži (type of pasta).
Major events
Istrski karneval (Istrian carnival), Festival zlate oljčne vejice (Festival of the golden olive twig), Šparga fest (Festival of
asparagus), Koper na dlani (Koper at your palm) Praznik refoška (Festival of refošk), Od vinarja do oljkarja (From the
winegrower to the olive oil grower), Sladka Istra (Sweet Istria-Festival of sweets), Dnevi kmetijstva Slovenske Istre
(Days of agriculture of Slovenian Istria), Mesto pleše and many others.
Statistical data
Geographic position of the city: 45° 32’ 5’’ N., 13° 45’ 5’’ E
Surface of the Municipality of Koper (km2): 311,2
Altitude: from 0 to 1028 m (Slavnik)
The highest settlement (m): Rakitovec (533)
The length of the coastline (km): 17,6
Number of settlements: 105
Number of local communities: 23
Surface of the Municipality of Koper: 311,2 km2
Number of inhabitants (January 2011): 52.700 people (whole town: 24.996; old part: 5.867)
Population of Slovenia (April 2011): 2.051.277
Tourist arrivals and overnight stays in the Municipality of Koper (2008-2012)
arrivals
overnight stays
200897.391373.907
200999.550365.432
201089.942317.506
201193.290329.945
201298.467346.989
201395466328.733
Arrivals of passenger ships in Koper (2005-2013)
arrivals
number of passengers
2005181.100
2006181.614
20075425.580
20084415.246
20095331.021
20105437.264
201178108.729
20124664.455
20135366.556
Koper info
Turistično informacijski center Koper (Tourist information centre Koper)
Titov trg - Piazza Tito 3
6000 Koper - Capodistria
T: +386 5 6646 403
F: +386 5 6646 406
E: tic@koper.si
Turistično informacijski center Ankaran (Tourist information centre Ankaran)
Jadranska cesta - Strada dell’Adriatico 25
6280 Ankaran - Ancarano
T: +386 5 6520 444
F: +386 5 6520 445
E: tic@koper.si
Turistično informacijski center Hrastovlje (Tourist information centre Hrastovlje)
Hrastovlje 53
6275 Črni Kal
T: +386 41 398 368
E: tic@koper.si
Turistična organizacija Koper (Tourist organization Koper)
Verdijeva ulica – Via Verdi 10
6000 Koper – Capodistria
T: +386 5 6646 216
F: +386 5 6271 602
E: tic@koper.si
In the hinterland of Koper we have also 12 Tourist information points (TIT). More information on:
www.koper.si