First of May Square
First of May Square
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4.0
70 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
30
Average
18
Poor
2
Terrible
0
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,640 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The 1st of May Square or the Old Square is a small square surrounded by quaint cafes and restaurants where you can taste the local wines. The square is also a venue for the numerous musical and theatre performances held during the summer months.
The square was originally built as a water reservoir after the 1775 draught. You can find pipes connecting the roofs of the surrounding buildings to the cistern in the square. The entrance to the square is flanked by two allegorical statues representing Law and Justice.
This is the oldest part of Piran, founded by Romans. It is home to several ornate statues and fountains fed by drain pipes.
The square was originally built as a water reservoir after the 1775 draught. You can find pipes connecting the roofs of the surrounding buildings to the cistern in the square. The entrance to the square is flanked by two allegorical statues representing Law and Justice.
This is the oldest part of Piran, founded by Romans. It is home to several ornate statues and fountains fed by drain pipes.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerTP
Northern Virginia, VA931 contributions
Oct 2019
Had I walked through here on my own, I might not have realized the significance of this square. Once our guide pointed out the cistern and the spouting, it was all much more interesting. This is definitely one of those places that I was happy to have a guide to show me the significance of the area we were in.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wombling_Free_7548
Bristol, UK2,114 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
You will come across this when exploring Piran, so no need to make a special trip. It’s not a particularly interesting square so we just passed through.
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Travel_Bunch
Bristol, UK80 contributions
Aug 2019
We enjoyed discovering all the alleys and squares of Piran, this one was particularly atmospheric and lively with dinners in the evenings. Thoroughly recommend ditching a map and just wandering to explore a beautiful place.
Written 31 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dana m
Tel Aviv, Israel624 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
At the tourist office we got ourselves a walking tour map and followed the route. This square was one of the sites, not very impressive and even somehow has a feeling of neglection.
Written 17 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,364 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
To realize that this square (formerly known as "Piazza Vecchia", ie old square, and today relatively secluded) was once the center of Piran, three facts can suffice.
The first fact is that here was once the Town Hall (now moved to Tartini Square). The second is that the current Tartini Square, nowadays undoubtedly the center of the ancient city, actually until the end of the 19th century was the most interior part of the ancient "mandracchio - mandrak" (fishing port). It was then buried, but before it a square didn't exist at all: it was a water space, even located outside the walled city; therefore nothing central.
The third fact is that the Fist of May Square is largely occupied by the terrace covering the large public cistern. It is plausible that when it was built (late 18th century) it was central to the city; as it's in the city center that - much older, but restored at the same time - into the nearby town of Umag, in Croatian Istria.
The monumental cistern, thanks also to the two statues (allegories of "Strenght" and of "Vigilance") that flank the access staircase, is one of the most significant ones built under the Venetian rule but outside Venice.
As a whole, this square helps to better understand the oldest past of Piran.
The first fact is that here was once the Town Hall (now moved to Tartini Square). The second is that the current Tartini Square, nowadays undoubtedly the center of the ancient city, actually until the end of the 19th century was the most interior part of the ancient "mandracchio - mandrak" (fishing port). It was then buried, but before it a square didn't exist at all: it was a water space, even located outside the walled city; therefore nothing central.
The third fact is that the Fist of May Square is largely occupied by the terrace covering the large public cistern. It is plausible that when it was built (late 18th century) it was central to the city; as it's in the city center that - much older, but restored at the same time - into the nearby town of Umag, in Croatian Istria.
The monumental cistern, thanks also to the two statues (allegories of "Strenght" and of "Vigilance") that flank the access staircase, is one of the most significant ones built under the Venetian rule but outside Venice.
As a whole, this square helps to better understand the oldest past of Piran.
Written 10 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarolaRS
7,001 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
The 1st of May Square, or the Old Square (Piazza Vecchia) as it was first named, is the centre of the old Punta. The main streets of Piran meet here. Inhabitants and visitors come here for shopping or a glass of native red wine. The square is a favourite meeting place for children too. In the summer time there are plenty of musical, dance and theatre performances taking place here.
Written 4 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saphora
Montreal88 contributions
May 2016
Not too far from the outside market, this square is near everything and is surrounded by mainly baroque-inspired architecture.
Written 23 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bradley T
indy5,647 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This is a two level square. As you approach the upper level you pass between the statues of law and justice. Then you come to a simple well.
In the far corner is a statue of a cherub with a nearby houses waterspout attach so that it becomes a fountain when it rains. There was supposed to be an amphora on the end of this but it was missing. Our guide book (DK Eyewitness) said there was an elaborate baroque fountain in this square but we didn't see it.
In the far corner is a statue of a cherub with a nearby houses waterspout attach so that it becomes a fountain when it rains. There was supposed to be an amphora on the end of this but it was missing. Our guide book (DK Eyewitness) said there was an elaborate baroque fountain in this square but we didn't see it.
Written 11 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
izif_37
Ljubljana, Slovenia3,241 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
I love this unique square, even more than Tartini! It is still original - almost like it was centuries ago! Most of the square presents big covered water cistern made of stone. It is possible to climb on it and there are some tables from the nearby restaurant on it. The square is surrounded by tipical stone houses. There is a churc near, some restaurants , some shops. And in the summer there are occasional musical or theater events.
Written 23 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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