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| View of Piran from the ramparts |
Winter has come and gone, and spring has emerged bright with promise! I can think of no better place to experience the beginning of spring than in Piran, Slovenia. Red rooftops, narrow walkways, boats on the water. A place to think and a place to discover.
My list of the best of Piran begins here...
Narrow walkways
Piran is a labyrinth of cobble stone paths, each with it's own character. Where will you end up? Take the path to find out.
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| A Piran path |
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| Another way to the sea? |
I love windows because they offer a mystery. What is inside? What is outside? The windows of Piran are especially inviting.
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| Spring flowers on a window sill |
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| An iron grate |
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| A crumbling frame |
The Ramparts
A walk along the ramparts above the city offers views and a sense of scale.
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| The view north |
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| The northern tower |
Sailboats on the water
When a sail catches the wind it's like watching a bird fly along the sea. It's pretty dramatic!
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| Catching the wind |
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| Sunset on the water |
Saint George and the dragon
Saint George is the patron saint of Piran. You can see images of George slaying the dragon throughout the city. This image has always appealed to me. Not sure why...
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| George in the square |
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| George in the cathedral |
City gates
There are many old gates to the city. The dolpin gate is one of my favorites.
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| The dolphin gate |
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| Above the gate |
Stone faces
Almost everywhere you look there is a stone face looking back at you.
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| On a facade |
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| Upon a column |
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| At the point |
Lions
The lion is everywhere in Piran - a symbol of strength and alertness.
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| Above a window |
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| On a pillar |
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| Supporting a balcony |
Salt
Salt has been harvested and traded in and around Piran since the 800's. You can still see the old salt pans in use today, and you can buy various grades of salt from the Soline shop on the main square of Piran.
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| In the Soline shop |
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| Salt pans at Strujan |
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| Letting the sea in |
Fish and fishermen
At dawn and dusk you can see the fishermen line up along the point. They bear the cold wind and waves to bring in a meal.
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| Enthusiastic fishermen |
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| The fruit of the sea |
The quality of light
Every space and time has a distinct quality of light. The light in the early spring is bright - almost white - contrasting with the grey spring clouds.
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| The top of the campanile |
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| Budding branches in the afternoon light |
Okay, so I had eleven, but were you really counting? If you have ever been to Piran, you probably have your own list to share.
Happy Spring!
