Port of St. Mary of the Rosary
It sounds beautiful that Portorož translates to the “Port of Roses” (Porto delle Rose). The town takes pride in its Rose Garden along the coastal promenade, where over 120 varieties of roses flourish, cultivated since 1887, when the first modern spa with a landscaped healing park was established. You can also find the Portorož multifloral rose, introduced in 2010, blooming throughout the town.
However, while Portorož is indeed adorned with magnificent roses, the origin of its name is linked to a different kind of beauty.
In the 13th century, a church dedicated to St. Mary of the Rosary stood on an undiscovered site overlooking the sea near Portorož. The Bishop of Koper, Paolo Naldini, described it as the largest and most beautiful church in the area. The harbor in the bay was likely named after it. Over time, Portus Sanctae Mariae de Rosae (Port of St. Mary of the Rosary) gradually became Portorož.
Did You Know That Portorož Has a Festival Dedicated to Roses?
A Premium Wine Experience with Rosé Wines and the Portorož Rose
Discover the magic of roses and rosé wines at the exclusive event Roses & Rosé in the Rose Garden of Portorož, where blooming elegance takes center stage.
We invite you to embrace the spirit of spring – wear your favorite spring outfits, bold hats, and floral-patterned accessories for a truly enchanting experience.
Portorož Villas and Hotels
Where else would figures like Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I, high-ranking European aristocrats, and, after World War II, world-famous actors and celebrities have stayed during their visits to Portorož, if not in its luxurious hotels and prestigious villas?
Beyond the renowned Palace Hotel, which still commands attention with its Art Nouveau façade and grand park, Portorož is adorned with villas built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. By 1911, when Portorož already boasted 20 hotels and guesthouses, an impressive 47 villas offered their elegance and comfort. Some of these still stand today, echoing the era when Portorož became a sought-after holiday retreat for the elite.
The Art Nouveau, Neoclassical, and Modernist styles of these villas and hotels reflect the remarkable development of Portorož throughout the 20th century.
