Koper was originally founded by the Romans as a settlement called Aegida. Later, during the Roman Empire, the city was known as Capris.
• Middle Ages: During the Middle Ages, Koper became a major city of the Republic of Venice and was named Capodistria, meaning "capital of Istria". Venetian rule left a strong mark on the city, which is still reflected in its architecture today.
• Habsburg Period: After the fall of Venice in 1797, Koper came under the control of the Habsburgs, who ruled the city until the end of World War I. After that, Koper became part of Italy until it was annexed to Yugoslavia and later Slovenia after World War II.
Koper's Old Town is known for its well-preserved Venetian architecture. Narrow streets, magnificent palaces and picturesque squares give Koper a special charm.
• Tito Square: The central square in Koper is Tito Square (Titov trg), surrounded by some of the city's most important buildings. These include the Praetorian Palace (Pretorska palača), built in the Gothic style, and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
• Praetorian Palace: The Praetorian Palace is an impressive example of Venetian Gothic architecture and was once the seat of the Venetian governor of Koper. Today, the building houses the City Museum and the City Archives.