The Story of 3 Papige — Where PiranArt Was Born

Some places carry history in their walls. PiranArt at Prešernovo nabrežje 2 is one of them.

A Building Unlike Any Other

Most buildings in Piran are built from grey sandstone. This one is different. Constructed from rare white Istrian stone, the building at Prešernovo nabrežje 2 was originally a boat and ship repair workshop — one of the few remaining structures of its kind in the old town. Its thick walls, high ceilings, and nine grand doorways facing the sea made it unlike anything else on the waterfront.

In the 1950s, the space was transformed. Artisans laid a beautiful mosaic floor — still visible today — and the nine large port doors were sealed. What emerged was something entirely new: a nightclub that would become one of the most beloved gathering places on the Adriatic coast.

Tri Papige — The Legend

For decades, Tri Papige (Three Parrots) was the heartbeat of Piran's evening life. The name itself captured the spirit of the place — parrots in Mediterranean culture symbolise colour, conversation, and a port city's openness to the world. Exotic, cabaret-like, unforgettable.

Guests arrived from across Yugoslavia, Italy, Austria, and Germany. Artists, fishermen, musicians, tourists, and locals all shared the same floor. The atmosphere was bohemian and elegant at once — the kind of place where a summer night could stretch until dawn, where strangers became friends over wine and music, and where the sea breeze drifted through the open windows.

In 1963, a German film crew chose Tri Papige as a location. The footage still exists — a small but vivid record of a place that meant so much to so many.

Seventy Years of Silence

Then, gradually, the doors closed. The nightclub gave way to a fast-food restaurant, then to other uses, and eventually to silence. For 70 years, the original windows and doors remained sealed. The building sat quietly on the waterfront, its stories locked inside.

The Light Returns

In 2023, something remarkable happened. The original windows and doors were reopened for the first time in seven decades. As Primorske novice reported: „Tri papige so po 70 letih spregledale“ — the three parrots saw the light again. Neighbours noticed. The town noticed. The building, after all those years, had woken up.

It was the beginning of PiranArt.

A New Chapter

Today, PiranArt continues the story of this legendary space — not as a nightclub, but as a place where food, coffee, gelato, and culture come together. Where Mama Jožica's kitchen carries five generations of culinary tradition. Where Samanta crafts specialty coffee and original mocktails. Where Sash creates plant-based gelato in 185 flavours.

The mosaic floor is still here. The white stone walls are still here. And the spirit of Tri Papige — that warm, Mediterranean openness to the world — is still here too.

The space has always brought people together. It still does.