Muggia

This is a beautiful town by the sea of Venetian origin. In the 18th Century it had a vote of loyalty with Venice and its historic center has many, typically Venetian, architectural and structural features such as the narrow, twisting alleyways. In 1998 the historic center of the town was completely renovated and pedestrianized. The old Mandracchio is a must see, a small port surrounded by pastel colored houses where boats of old fisherman can be found. There is also the cathedral, with an unmistakable Gothic façade, dedicated to the saints Giovanni and Paolo. Encircled by medieval walls, Muggia is dominated by a 14th-century castle, which has been restored many times and is now abandoned. Only a tower and traces of two doors still remain of the old, defensive structure. In the main square is the beautiful Loggia Municipale, with the 15th-century San Marco lion. Muggia is also famous for its carnival, with popular, ancient traditions, and for its enchanting basilica of roman origin, that everyone knows as the church of Muggia Vecchia, and that overlooks the town from a hill near the Slovenian border.