Oprtalj – Portole: “The view over the cypress alley reminds one of those little towns and villages of Tuscany”
While exiting the town, on the left side of the road, few hundred meters from the town gates, in the middle of a cypress alley, you will see another typical small Istrian church dedicated to the Little Virgin Mary. The church was built in the 15th century.
The interior of the Little Virgin Mary curch has some interesting fresco paintings by four masters, one of which was a famous Istrian master from Kopar named Clerigino known as the “coloured master”. The paintings are dated 1471. The view over the beautiful cypress alley, on which the church is located, reminds one of those little towns and villages of Tuscany.
Around Oprtalj there are two families that produce quality Istrian olive oil: Giancarlo Zigante from Livade and Klaudio Ipsa from Ipsi. Giancarlo Zigante is also the owner of a very good truffles house, where you can taste some outstanding Istrian food, the Restaurant Enoteka Zigante... and the visit of Zigante restaurant is a recommended experience if you visit Istria.
In Oprtalj’s photo gallery you will find most of the pictures of the buildings that have been described above. Inside the churches the pictures have not been taken and you should enjoy their nice art works and paintings during your personal visit.