Izola - the old fishing town

The port, set deep into the old town centre on the western side, was the heart of the town. On the outskirts, the most important public buildings were to be found, namely Manzioli Palace and Lovisato Palace, St. Maurus church and the church of Our Lady of Alietum, the Italian elementary school.

Based on more than a century of archaeological research, especially in the last period, and due to archaeological, historical, artistic, settlement-oriented, landscape and other exceptional characteristics, they were declared a cultural monument of national importance. Archaeological findings were found on the surface of four hectares. Remnants of a seaside Roman villa (villae maritimae) with a commercial building and the largest port of the same period were discovered, both representing one of the largest properties in this part of Istria. The spaces of the Roman villa are paved with black and white mosaics of priceless value. The port with two piers, which secure a safe mooring, is considered typically Roman and it allowed the landing of vessels even with stronger winds.  At excavations in several places, researchers encountered the remains of an ancient water supply system. The Roman villa complex allows a thorough insight into the Italic civilization, which once flourished in Istria. The residential area walls that were discovered during the 20th century excavations are on display in the park, while on the northern location there is a part of the reconstructed floor mosaic from the residential zone, furthermore, the southern area discloses a corridor connecting the villa to the port. In the backyard of the villa, remains of the waterworks were also discovered, which provided water supply for the whole building complex.  

At the end of Izola’s peninsula lies a neatly kept municipal beach.  It is equipped with showers, a playground sandbox and playground trains. The town beach is accessible by walk, for it is only about 200 metres away from Izola’s town centre.

The palace, built in 1781, is an example of beautifully preserved late Baroque architectural monuments in Slovenia. The stone lion in the corner of the building dates from the 13th century and was found under the ruins of the building, which previously stood on the site of the palace. There are around 3000 well-preserved books and manuscripts  from the palace’s library.

The route winds through old towns and villages, along the seaside and between vineyards and olive groves. It leads through short, well-lit tunnels, crossing valleys and climbing hills.

Izolana, the House of the Sea, is dedicated to the history of Izola, emphasizing its maritime and seaside character through documentary photographs depicting fishing as one of its main economic activities.

The palace is one of the oldest buildings in Izola. It stands on Manzioli Square. The palace was built in 1470 and is a typical bourgeois house in Venetian-Gothic style. It was named after the former mayor of Izola, Tommaso Manzioli, who actively participated in designing Izola’s port (mandracchio).

San Simon Beach is a popular bathing area for locals and guests to San Simon resort The bathing area in the natural bay has over 3500 square meters of water surfaces and about 6000 square meters of land surfaces. Owing to its favourable position and shape, the bathing area is ideal for families with children, particularly due to the natural sandy-covered seabed of the bay. The beach boasts sand volleyball courts, mini football, a large water slide and a sandbox with a playground. Easy access to water is provided from the pier. A large part of the bathing area is covered with pine trees and acacias, which offer a pleasant shade to the early visitors.

San Simon Bay holds the remnants of a former Roman period pier, which is nowadays fully submerged under the sea, dating from the time when the Haliaetum port was located on this spot.