Walls of Piran

Piran town walls (Slovene: Piransko obzidje) are fortification walls built to protect the town of Piran in southwestern Slovenia. Large parts of the fortification walls remain well-preserved up to now.

History
There were three walls built because of enlargement of the town. The first wall was built in the 7th century and it separated the town into four streets which were named by the entrances into the town: Miljska, Stolna, Osrednja (main) and Poljska. The first wall can be still seen today in the old part of the town. The wall was moving south-west when new streets appeared. The fortification wall which was built by southern coast of the town didn't change much since it was made.

In the final phases of enlargement between 1470 and 1533 the third fortification wall appeared that protected the whole peninsula, while in construction, The second wall appeared to protect the street Marčana. The biggest part of the city wall appeared when use of gunpowder became frequent. The third wall is almost completely intact. The northern part of the wall is completely accessible while the southern parts' floors and stairs are missing, or are being reconstructed. Between them is a gap where the wall collapsed and is now gone. A small portion of the third wall is also found next to the rectory, looking north. There is also a tower viewer located on one of the towers.

Present
Today eight city entrances or "gates", remain preserved:
 * Osrednja Vrata literally meaning Main Gate, on Partizanska street.
 * gothic-styled first Rašporska Vrata on the Rozman street.
 * second Rašporska Vrata constructed in 1470 on the third wall with the seven towers.
 * Renaissance-styled Marčana city entrance constructed in 1534, part of the third wall.
 * Miljska Vrata constructed in the 13th century, one of the oldest in town.
 * Dolfinova Vrata, the best preserved gothic doors in town, constructed in 1483 by mayor Dolfin.
 * Poljska Vrata from the 15th century, once there was a church of Saint James nearby and connected to the Town Palace.
 * Baročna Vrata svetega Jurija renovated in 1660.