Church of St. George

The church sits at the hilltop and is visible from virtually every point in Piran – its massive silhouette with the bell tower dominates the tile rooftops below. The Renaissance façade (1608) follows models by Andrea Palladio. Inside – seven altars, a painted wooden ceiling, paintings from the Venetian school, and an early Gothic wooden "Crucifix of Piran" from the 14th century. The main altar (1788, Gasparo Albertini) features a painting of the Madonna with Child, Saints George, Nicholas, and Mark. Baroque marble side altars were crafted by Venetian masters including Bonfante Torre and the Gropelli brothers.

The freestanding bell tower is the main draw for visitors. 146 wooden steps along a narrow spiral staircase lead to a viewing platform at about 46 m height. At the top – four bells (the oldest from the 15th century) and a 3.6 m weathervane depicting the Archangel Michael. From the platform – a 360° panorama: Piran's tile rooftops and the Adriatic to the west, the Italian coastline toward Trieste to the north, Croatia to the south. On clear days, the Julian Alps are visible on the horizon.

In front of the church entrance is a broad lawn, once a cemetery. From here you get an open view over the Bay of Trieste, Tartini Square, and neighboring coastal settlements. Nearby – the octagonal Baptistery of St. John the Baptist (1650), which uses a 1st-century Roman tombstone as its baptismal font.

Bell tower – 46.5 m, a replica of Venice's San Marco Campanile, 146 steps to the viewing platform

Panorama – views of three countries: Slovenia, Italy (Trieste), and Croatia on clear days

Age – first church on the site dates to the 12th century; current building from 1592–1614

Interior – 7 altars, Baroque marble works by Venetian masters, painted wooden ceiling

Organ – 1746 instrument by Venetian master Petar Nakić, one of the oldest on the Adriatic

Crucifix of Piran – early 14th-century wooden sculpture, the church's most important artwork

The first church on the hill was built in the 12th century. It was rebuilt in 1344, and in 1592 construction began on the current building, designed by Venetian stonemason Bonfante Torre. Construction was completed in 1614, and the bell tower was erected in 1608–1615 as a scaled replica of Venice's San Marco Campanile. The Renaissance façade followed Palladian models. Interior furnishings, including altars and frescoes, were completed by 1637 when the church was consecrated.

During the 17th–18th centuries the church gained its Baroque character: marble altars were installed, the ceiling painted, and in 1746 organ builder Petar Nakić created the instrument. The organ was damaged in World War I but later restored. Earthquakes revealed foundation problems on the unstable hilltop – the bell tower began to lean. A major restoration from 1986 to 2005 reinforced the foundations. Archaeological excavations beneath the nave uncovered remains from the Roman period through the Gothic era. Today the church is both an active parish and one of the main cultural monuments of the Slovenian coast.

From Tartini Square (on foot, 10–15 minutes):

– Via IX Korpusa Street – past the Town Walls, then down to the church

– Through old town lanes – from the Venetian House up the stone steps

From Portorož:

– Bus or walk to Piran, then walk uphill from the square

Tip: Ask your taxi or driver to drop you at the upper walls. Explore the walls, walk down to the church, then descend to the square – avoids the uphill climb.

Season: April–October – comfortable weather for the climb. Winter can be windy on the bell tower.

Time of day: Morning (before 10:00 AM) – soft light on the façade, few visitors. Sunset – best light for panoramic photos from the bell tower.

Duration: 40–60 minutes (church + museum + bell tower). With the walk from the square and photos – 1.5 hours.

Avoid: Midday in summer – hot climb on an exposed hillside. Windy days – the bell tower platform is cold and uncomfortable.