Assumption of Mary Church, Koper, Romanesque cathedral in Koper, Slovenia.
This cathedral is a three-nave basilica with elements spanning multiple periods, displaying Gothic details on its western facade from the late 14th century. A bell tower with four stories stands as a prominent feature in the city's skyline.
Construction started in the Romanesque style and was later expanded with Gothic additions before a 15th century earthquake forced structural changes. Reconstruction and enlargement with Renaissance features followed over the subsequent decades.
Venetian artists contributed paintings to this cathedral, including a notable work by Vittore Carpaccio from the early 16th century. The collection reflects Italian artistic traditions that shaped this coastal settlement.
The church is regularly open to visitors, especially when services are not in progress, and the bell tower can be viewed from the interior courtyard. Morning and late afternoon visits work best when fewer services are scheduled.
One of Slovenia's oldest bells from 1333 hangs in the tower, predating many of the architectural changes that shaped this building. The bell serves as a testament to the site's long history of religious use.
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