The charming Mediterranean town of Izola is located at the seaside in south-western Slovenia. The old town centre features several medieval architectural pearls. The stone statue of a lion from 1212, the fully restored Manyioli and |Lovisato Palace, the Besenghi degli Ughi palace, and the restored church of St. Marz of Alieto are just some among these. Old town streets and quarters fow into new town areas, the masts of the vessels at anchor in the town harbor compose sea silhouettes, while the town is given a specific character by its multicultural nature and the use of two languages, Slovene and Italian.
Legend of the dove of Izola
In 1380, on 23rd October, the Genoese navy was planning to attack a small island town, then called Isola. Legend has it that the desperate citizens of the town gathered in the parish church of St. Maurus where they prayed for their patron saint for help with such fervor that he heard their prayers. Between the enemz navy and the shore, magic fog appeared in the sky, completely covering the town, while a white dove flew from the church roof toward the Genoese navy. The Genoese followed the dove, thinking it would lead them toward the shore. Yet the astute dove took them far away to the open sea and returned home with an olive tree branch in its beak, which it laid on the ground as a symbol of peace and safety. This is why the white dove is depicted in the coat-of-arms and the municipal flag of Izola.