Likely founded sometime before 1301, the Piran Minorite Monastery of St. Francis is tucked inside a small, easily overlooked Piran alleyway. The monastery’s cloister is considered one of the most beautiful in Slovenia and often hosts musical events, including Piran Musical Evenings and Tartini Festival events.

Attached to the monastery and cloister is the beautiful Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The original church predated the monastery but has since undergone numerous renovations. Today, the oldest surviving sections of the church can be seen in the presbytery or chancel. However, the majority of the church’s interior dates to the 17th century, and the exterior was primarily built in the 19th century.

The Piran Minorite Monastery has witnessed many changes in the picturesque coastal city, and even played a role in the life of the city’s most famous resident: the 18th-century composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini. Sometime after 1700, Tartini received lessons at the monastery. The Tartini family also had strong ties to the church and a stone floor slab marks the family’s burial plot in the church.

Today, the Piran Minorite Monastery is a peaceful retreat from the busy city, inviting visitors to bask in its serene atmosphere and remember Piran’s celebrated composer.