Oprtalj is a charming and picturesque town, situated on a hilltop above the valley of the Mirna river, opposite Motovun. It is a medieval city, reminiscent of many of the medieval town in Tuscany.

The city of Oprtalj was associated with Trieste and Poreč due to the railway, which is called Parenzana and was built with the purpose of development of the continental part of Istria. In 1935 the Italian government decided to reroute the road to Africa, were for many construction work, but the road has not been redirected.

The first mention of Ortale as the residence of the feudal lords and craftsmen dates back to 1102. From 1209, the city was under the control of the bishopric of Aquileia, and from 1490 under the rule of Venice. Venice ruled Optilam until 1789, then there were short periods of domination of the Austrians, the French and the Italians. Liberation of the city occurred during the Second World war, when Oprtalj became part of Yugoslavia.

For tourists the town has many interesting monuments. For example, the Church of the virgin Mary, built in the 15th century. In its interior frescoes, Dating from the year 1471. The Venetian loggia, built in 1797 in the Renaissance style. The building still remained emblems of the Roman and Venetian eras. Also of interest is the Cathedral of St. George, built in 1526. The altar of the Cathedral was built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the body of the currently installed inside dates back to the 18th century.

The Church of St. Helena is located in the South of the city. It was built in the 15th century on a small hill and therefore a nice visible from nearby roads. On the walls of the Church are still preserved Glagolitic inscriptions, Dating from the year 1496.

In Oprtalj there are several historic buildings that testify to its glorious past, but many of them need reconstruction.