1st of May Square
Square, Piran
1st of May Square, formerly known as Old Square (Piazza Vecchia), is the historical center of the old Punta district in Piran. Major urban streets converge here, making it a key urban node.
Today, it is a popular gathering spot for children and a summer stage for musical, dance, and theatre performances.
In the Middle Ages, it was the administrative heart of the city. The old town hall once stood here; now the site is occupied by the Delfin Inn. The preserved Church of St. Donatus, built in the 14th century, now serves as an art gallery.
At the center of the square stands a stone rainwater cistern, built after a major drought in 1775. Roofs from nearby houses collected water, which passed through stone, sand, and gravel to be naturally filtered and stored in a large reservoir. Two smaller wells were used for maintenance and cleaning.
The cistern is decorated with two putto statues – one holding a fish, the other a vessel. This system is a rare example of 18th-century urban water infrastructure, now part of the square’s cultural identity.
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