Istrian Assembly Hall: A Testament to Poreč's History

The Istrian Assembly Hall, located in the heart of Poreč, is a captivating historical landmark with a rich and varied past. Originally built in the 13th century as a Gothic Franciscan church and monastery on the foundations of a 5th-century church, it has undergone numerous transformations. The church's interior was remodeled in the Baroque style in the mid-18th century, featuring exquisite stuccowork and illusionistic frescoes by Giuseppe Monteventia and Angelo Venturini.Following Napoleon's decree in 1806, the church was deconsecrated and the Franciscans departed. In the mid-19th century, the Polesini family acquired the building and divided it into two floors. The ground floor was converted into a wine cellar, while the upper hall became the meeting place for the Istrian Provincial Parliament from 1861 to 1897. Today, the Istrian Assembly Hall hosts a variety of cultural events, including art exhibitions and choir concerts, as well as ceremonial sessions of the Istrian County Assembly.Visitors can admire the stunning Baroque interior, including the ceiling adorned with frescoes and stuccowork. Fragments of the 5th-century church's wall and floor mosaics are displayed on the ground floor. The hall stands as a testament to the city's long and diverse history.