Izola and the Orange Wine Festival

Despite the time and turbulent changes, Izola remained a pleasant ancient town with romantic streets and a number of interesting buildings. In the new part of town, wide streets with alleys invite pedestrians, but the old part of town is the most attractive, with its tall Mediterranean houses, some of which are particularly striking, and buildings dating back to the Venetian period. The old town centre and narrow stone streets lie on the former island, from where the city expanded southward in the early 20th century, to the railway station next to the former narrow-gauge Poreč-Trieste railway line.

Today, there is a particularly attractive area with a striking church of St. Mauritius. Old houses, some of them real gems, are huddled beneath it: the Baroque Besenghi degli Ughi Palace, the Venetian Manzioli, the Renaissance Lovisato, and the list goes on. Particular attention should be paid to small details such as richly decorated portals, Gothic and Romanesque windows, forged and artificially carved doors, balconies, coats of arms, picturesque staircases, gardens and fountains. The heart of the old town is the inner part of the port – mandrač, which is surrounded by many restaurants in the company of fishing boats, where it is pleasant to sit.

Amber-coloured wines

Fortunately, Izola has long ceased to be a sleepy fishing and industrial town. There are lots of local shops and bars everywhere. During the summer months, it is especially lively on the city streets. In recent years, a number of artists have been working to give the old town a more varied image, and the municipality has given them a space in the most attractive part of the old town. Small cafés attract eyes with colourful offerings. Many have artists working on the spot, and for the most enthusiastic, they also organise workshops or at least teach them about their work. Numerous events, some of which are special, include the Orange Wine Festival, which takes place on the last Friday of April.

Orange wines are produced from white grape varieties. In doing so, they use an old, almost forgotten technique, which, together with sustainable organic production, is a guarantee of excellent wines. After partial pressing, the grapes are stored with their skins and stems in large containers, where they remain for several days or even months. During this time the grape juice is fermented in contact with the skins, pips and stems. This process is called maceration. After maceration, the thick must and skins are pressed and the fermented juice is stored in barrels or even clay containers, as has been done in Georgia for thousands of years. The festival features wines from dozens of international producers, and the perfect event is provided by top chefs who pamper visitors with creative dishes.

Attractive beaches

Despite its role as a port city, it also takes care of people who love to swim. The nearest beach extends on Cape Petelin, just a few steps away from the old town. The nearby park with trees even offers a soothing shade. Many swimmers go to the other side of the city, past the marina of Izola into the nearby Simon's bay. Here, during the Roman period, was the port of Heliaetum, part of which can be seen at a very strong low tide. In addition to the shade of pine trees, the beach offers entertainment. Especially in the form of volleyball courts and a large water slide.

Memories of the railway

Izola once had a railway connection with Trieste and coastal towns in Istria. Two tunnels still testify to the existence of the 123 km long narrow-gauge railway. One lies below Preval between Portorož and Strunjan. It is beautifully illuminated and paved, so it is gladly used by locals and tourists for the shortest and safest footpath between the two places. The second, less known and less used, lies under the main road on the edge of the Izola part of Jagodje. It leads from Izola to the valley of the Roje River, which flows at the edge of the Strunjan Salt Pans. They can be reached by walking or cycling between peach groves, vineyards and, finally, along our most beautiful pine trees, which line the main road in Strunjan.

Unfortunately, the narrow-gauge railway has been gone for a long time, and there are memories of it and many documents and photographs about the coastal places, the construction and the course and operation of the Istrian railway line. The latter was called Parenzana, Istrijanka and also Porečanka. The former railway traffic in Izola is evidenced by the railway station, which is located not far from the sports centre. It no longer fulfils its purpose, but you can find out more about the route on the information panel nearby. Or at the sight of a preserved locomotive, which surprises visitors at the main town entrance from the Koper direction.