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History

Koper, the oldest town in Slovenia, developed on a rocky island with the Roman name Capris. Out of the three oldest cities on the Slovene coast (Koper, Izola, Piran), Koper has experienced the most numerous layout modifications. The reasons for that also need to be sought in the changes of various reigns and states, all of which marked the city with their specific traits and names. Koper was called Capris in Roman times, in the times of Pope Gregory I (599) Insula Capraria (“goat island”), Iustinopolis under the Byzantine Empire (between mid 6th and 8th centuries) and Caput Histriae (‘head of Istria’) by the Aquileia Patriarchs. The Venetians translated this name into Italian, Capodistria, while in Slovenian it's known simply as Koper.

The longest reign over the city was that of the Venetian Republic (1279-1797), when Koper experienced economic (trade, salt production) and cultural prosperity (painting, music). The Venetian period is still echoed by the city's architecture; despite numerous modern interventions, it has preserved its medieval character, and is a member of the European Association of Medieval Cities. In the Middle Ages, Koper was an island surrounded by walls and connected to the mainland with a wooden bridge in the direction of Škocjan. It was protected by a mighty fortress - Lion Castle - and surrounded by vast salt pans. Koper’s importance began to diminish in the 18th century, when Trieste was proclaimed a free port, and ultimately ended with the downfall of the Venetian Republic.

In the period from the 19th century to the First World War (i.e. from the Napoleonic Empire 1806-1813 to the Hapsburg Monarchy 1813-1918), Koper experienced numerous changes in terms of economic and social development. This period was marked by the reduction of the salt pans, which were entirely abandoned in 1912, and the changing layout of the city, which began to lose its island character. In 1825, a second road connection with the mainland was constructed (Semedela Road) followed by the coastal road in the middle 19th century, a sea connection with Trieste-Poreč and the railway connection Trieste-Poreč in 1902. Under the Italian Empire, Koper ceased to be an island after the deserted salt pans that separated it from the mainland were drained.

The time after the Second World War brought further changes. Until the final determination of the border with Italy through the signing of the London Memorandum in 1954, when it officially became part of Yugoslavia, Koper was part of Zone B administered by the Yugoslav national Army, first belonging to the Julian March and from September 1947 to the neutral state called the Free Trieste Territory (FTT). As part of Yugoslavia, Koper experienced profound changes in its national structure. This also brought about new architectural interventions both in the city centre and its surroundings, especially in terms of huge development with the construction of a modern port.

Today, Koper is both an commercial, university and tourist city, offering seaside resorts, nautical tourism, sports and shopping.