Mosaics in the Euphrasian Basilica

Busy, busy Porec buzzes with tourists from spring through fall which makes it one of the least tranquil of Istria‘s coastal towns. With souvenir stands everywhere, it’s hard to imagine that it was once an important Roman town and now boasts one of Croatia’s seven World Heritage Sites, the Episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica. The 5th century mosaics are stunning and a recent renovation has highlighted the rest of the complex. You can even climb the bell tower although the narrow wooden staircase couldn’t comfortably handle the stream of ascending and descending visitors. You could once see the mosaics for free but now there’s a new 30kn admission charge.