September 3, 2026:
Poreč is a popular summer resort on the coast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Croatia. In the historic old town, the 6th-century complex is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics.
We parked in the main parking lot of Poreč and walked about 10 minutes to the Euphrasian Basilica.
On the Way to the Euphrasian Basilica
We walked through Trg Joakima Rakovca with its statue of Joakim Rakovc. Joakim Rakovac was the main organizer of the People’s Liberation Struggle in Istria: a protector, a freedom fighter, and a hero to the Croatian people.
Trg Joakima Rakovca
Statue of Joakim Rakovac
Next, we walked through Trg Slobode, with the Church of Our Lady of the Angels and the strange looking Statue of Rain by Peruško Bogdanić.
Church of Our Lady of the Angels
The Statue of Rain by Peruško Bogdanić
Then we walked along Ulica Decumanus, the pedestrianized cobbled-stoned part of Old Town Poreč.
Ulica Decumanus
We turned right on Ulica Svetog Eleuterija to pass through the archway with gold mosaics into…
Archway with Gold Mosaics
Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica is composed of several parts: Atrium, Baptistery, Bell Tower, Bishop’s Palace, Lapidarium, Maurus oratory floor mosaic, Archaeological remains and floor mosaics, Sarcophagus-Reliquary of Saints Maurus and Eleutherius from 1247, and finally, the Euphrasian Basilica with its exquisite mosaics.
We started at the Atrium.
Atrium and Bell Tower
Atrium Stone Reliefs
Mosaic on the Outer Wall of the Cathedral, as seen from the Atrium
Next we visited the baptistery.
Baptismal Pool
Baptistery Stone Reliefs
Baptistery Ceiling
Baptismal Font
We skipped on walking up the steps of the Bell Tower. Then we walked upstairs to see the Bishop’s Palace.
Bishop’s Palace
Bishop’s Palace Audience Hall
Poreč Triptych of the Madonna and Child, created around 1527
by the Venetian woodcarver and sculptor Paolo Campsa and his workshop
View of the Adriatic Sea from the Bishop’s Palace
Bishop’s Palace Religious Artifacts
View of Bell Tower from Bishop’s Palace
Next we saw the Lapidarium.
Lapidarium Artifacts
Then we went outside to see the Maurus oratory floor mosaic.
Maurus oratory floor mosaic
Then we went back inside to see archaeological remains and floor mosaics and the sarcophagus-reliquary of Saints Maurus and Eleutherius from 1247.
Archaeological remains and floor mosaics
Sarcophagus-Reliquary of Saints Maurus and Eleutherius from 1247
Finally, we entered the Euphrasian Basilica.
Euphrasian Basilica
There is a side altar and frescoes on the walls, and mosaics underneath the floor.
Side Altar
Frescoes on the Wall
Mosaics Under the Floor
We made our way back to our car in the main parking lot. Our tour of Poreč was complete.