The picturesque town and port of Cres is located on the island of the same name. It is the most important tourist center of the island of Cres and the largest settlement on the island. It lies in a well-protected bay. Administratively, it belongs to Primorje-Gorski County.
Cres has many cultural and historical buildings, a sea port, a fishing port and a shipyard. In the Roman period, the area was called - res publica Crepsa. It was already inhabited in prehistoric times, and the remains of that time are the archaeological site on the hill of St. Bartula. During the Middle Ages, the settlement of present-day Cres was formed within the walls on the eastern side of the bay. In 1332, the city received a statute. Since 1459, the place has been the seat of the Venetian administration for the islands of Losinj and Cres, which until then was in Osor. In the 16th century, a new city wall was built and partially preserved to this day. On the coast, patrician palaces and public buildings were built around the harbor. The most famous city gate with a tower and a clock are from this time. The city museum has its premises in the Gothic-Renaissance Arsan Palace. The palace was built by Bishop Anton Marcello Petris at the beginning of the 16th century. During this period, the city of Cres became the economic, political and religious center of the island. The restored Arsan Palace attracts attention with its luxurious Gothic and Renaissance appearance. An interesting feature in the interior is the Renaissance toilet in the former owner's bedroom. Legend says that Frane Petric, a Renaissance philosopher, was born in the building.
His statue is located in the small square in front of Arsan Palace. The permanent museum exhibition is still in the preparation phase, and with occasional exhibitions they try to show all the various aspects of life on the island.