Introducing The Bell Tower In Koper
Koper’s Bell Tower, or Mestni Stolp as it is called in Slovene, stands on the main Tito Square in the centre of the coastal city of Koper. Originally part of a Roman fortification, the tower acquired its current appearance between the 15th and 17th centuries, and has been used for liturgical purposes ever since. The tower is four stories, follows the style of an Italian bell tower and houses one of the oldest bells in Slovenia, dating back to 1333. If the weather is good, amazing panoramic views of the entire Koper area and beyond can be had by climbing 204 steps to reach the viewing platform at 43 meters.
Bell Tower Review
Set on the eastern side of the Tito square in the centre of old Koper is the 54-metre-high Bell Tower. Pressed into Koper’s cathedral’s south side, the tower was originally a fortified Romanesque structure, but was then converted into a bell tower between the 15th and 17th centuries. It can be seen from many points across Koper. If you’re willing to climb 204 steps, you’ll get an amazing 360-degree view of the city, coast and hinterland from the viewing platform at 43 meters.
Unlike many bell towers in Europe, this one has a new staircase in straight flights for most of its height except a very small stretch after the bells themselves to the outside. It’s an interesting experience if you’re at ‘bell level’ when they ring! There are interesting historical information panels on each landing, which make good places for a breather on the way up. It’s not a difficult or frightening climb, though it is quite a high tower! We would not recommend it for anyone with mobility or respiratory problems.
You need to buy a ticket from the tourist office housed in the Praetorian Palace across the square. Pricing is based on age and costs €3,5 for adults, €3 for seniors and students, €2,5 for children between the ages of 7 and 18, and free for children under the age of 6.
Bottom line: the bell tower has 12 flights of stairs but they are worth it for excellent panoramic views of the Koper area. It is not expensive and each landing has a small info plaque detailing the tower’s history. A fun and rewarding way to spend an hour or so.
Opening hours:
From June 15th to September 30th: daily 9:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 20:00,
From October 1st to June 14th: daily 9:00 – 17:00.
Price: €3,5 for adults; €3 for seniors and students; €2,5 for children between the ages of 7 and 18; free for children under the age of 6.
Bell Tower Pictures
View our image gallery with high-resolution photos that prove you have to visit the Bell Tower in Koper!
Six photos below courtesy of I Feel Slovenia
The Bell Tower is located on the main Tito square right in Koper’s Old Town. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The tower rises up 54 meters from the centre of the old town. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The tower was transformed into its present appearance between the 15th and 17th centuries. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The tower is visible from all over Koper. (Image by Jaka Ivancic)
The tower and a Christmas tree in the festive season. (Image by Jaka Ivancic)
Christmas decorations at Tito Square during the festive season in December are a must see. (Image by Jaka Ivancic)
The tower dates from the 13th century and was a watch tower before the Koper cathedral incorporated it as part of the building. Image by TICKoper / CC BY-SA 4.0
The tower offers beautiful views of the entire region. Image by TICKoper / CC BY-SA 4.0
The incredible 360-degree panoramic photo of Koper composed of 14 shots from the top of the bell tower. Image by Grant Bishop / CC BY-SA 2.0
The Bell Tower can be seen from many points across Koper. Image by Stephen Colebourne / CC BY 2.0
Tito Square is dominated by the bell tower of the St Mary’s of the Assumption Cathedral. (Image by Erich Reisinger)
A beautiful view over the square and the town of Koper from the top of the bell tower. (Image by Erich Reisinger)
Climbing the tower is fairly easy, with wide stairwells and handrails everywhere.
Bell Tower in Koper on the map
Address: Titov Trg 1, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 45.548450, 13.729690
GPS coordinates: 45° 32′ 54.42” N 13° 43′ 46.884” E
Region: Littoral
 Koper or Capodistria as it is called in Italian shows two faces to the world: one is a modern, loud and busy industrial part of the city with the only commercial port in Slovenia. The other is the charming small Old Town with the lovely square of Titov Trg and late medieval and early Renaissance buildings, such as the Praetorian Palace, the Loggia Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption built in Venetian styles. |
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 Overall Rating:  09/10 (Must-See)The main attraction in the seaside town of Koper is its well-preserved medieval city center called the Old Town. Five centuries of Venetian rule are almost impossible to ignore here, especially while strolling along the narrow streets past impressive old buildings and former palaces. |
 Overall Rating: 09/10 (Must-See)This quite sizeable town square is the first place you should head when exploring Koper. It dates back to the Venetian era and is home to several of the town's main attractions. |
 Overall Rating:  08/10 (Highly Recommended)For any visitor to Koper, the Praetorian Palace is a must see. It is located in the centre of the town on the main Tito Square and absolutely dominates the place. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)Koper's cathedral is located right in the historic city centre on the main Tito square and dates back to the second half of the 12th century when Koper acquired its own diocese. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)Set on the eastern side of the Tito square in the centre of old Koper is the 54-metre-high Bell Tower. If the weather is good, amazing panoramic views of the entire Koper area and beyond can be had by climbing 204 steps to reach the viewing platform at 43 meters. |
 Overall Rating:  07/10 (Recommended)With its impressive Gothic-style lancet arches, the 15th-century Loggia building stands on the northern side of the historic Tito Square in the heart of old Koper. Its ground-floor arcade is now a café. A side door leads to the first-floor Loza gallery. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)The rustic village of Hrastovlje, located in the hills above the coast, only a short 20-minute drive from Slovenia's largest coastal town Koper, is home to one of the country's most outstanding medieval treasures, the Church of the Holy Trinity. The church building itself is quite impressive, looking like a small, ancient fort, but what attracts most visitors to this little church is the famous Dance of Death fresco on the south wall. |
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 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)Skocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is an oasis of unspoiled nature on the outskirts of Koper, Slovenia's largest coastal town. It is one of the most beautiful protected areas in the country and permanent or temporary home to several hundred animal species, including 300 species of butterflies, 300 species of beetles, 38 species of dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, and almost 250 species of birds which can be observed from newly built bird hides and an observation tower. |
| The accommodation options in Koper can be divided into six main categories: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, apartments, farm stays and hostels. |
 Koper is the largest town on the Slovenian coast and the sixth-largest city in Slovenia. There are currently 5 hotels in the city, but the overall quality of the hotels is not that great, and at the moment there's only one hotel in Koper that we can really recommend. Find out which one and why! |
 Guest houses are a traditional form of accommodation in Slovenia for holiday makers and other travellers. They are a great choice for a place to stay as they are comfortable and wallet-friendly with owners who take an interest in their guests. There are more than 10 guest houses available in the Koper area, find out which are the ones that we recommend the most. |
 Opting for a bed and breakfast over other types of lodging is a great way to personalize your stay and get to know the locals. Bed and breakfasts feel like you are literally staying in someone’s house, because often you are. The advantage of a B&B is that the breakfasts are often home cooked meals that are prepared with love and attention. These meals are included in your room rate and are a great way to start your day. Find out which B&Bs in Koper we recommend the most, and why! |
 With all the comforts of home, apartments are a great choice for lodging during your trip to Koper. They are often more affordable and can be very comfortable places to stay. But be careful, the rates and quality vary seriously, so always do a good research before you book an apartment! |
 Hostels in Koper are the go-to option for travellers and backpackers who plan to spend very little of their time in their room and most of their time exploring Koper and the Slovenian coast. They’re also a great way to meet other travellers. Unlike a hotel, hostels are more communal in nature and that includes sharing a room with strangers, although often you can get a private room if you want to pay a little more. Find out which hostels in Koper we recommend the most, and why! |
 In recent years, farm stays are growing among a number of travelers looking to reconnect with fresh air, local and organic foods, and a more simple and authentic lifestyle on vacation. Farm stays are a form of accommodation on a working farm. Actual accommodations can vary from a room in a farm house, to a cabin or a guest cottage. Typical rates are similar to a bed and breakfast, and like a bed and breakfast, some offer delicious home cooked meals. Some farm stays also allow guests to participate in the daily activities on the farm if they choose. |