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Whichever part of the world you come
from, you have arrived at the heart of Europe. Rijeka, the
visitor-friendly city filled with the scent of the sea, awaits
you.Wake up to the magnificent view of Kvarner Bay. Enjoy the mild
Mediterranean climate. Take a stroll along Korzo and experience
the heart of the city loved by both younger and older generations.
Lounge in one of the cafes and read the history of the town from
the facades of buildings. |
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Rijeka - the city to
remember
Rijeka is the seat
of the Primorsko-goranska County, a region which consists of an
unusual link between the sea and mountains extending to the Mount
Učka across to the Goran mountains as far as the Velebit. To the
west of Rijeka, lies the Opatija Riviera, the oldest and
most popular Croatian tourist region. To the east is the
Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera. Rijeka can thank Gorski kotar - the
most preserved part of the region - for its high quality drinking
water and its clear air.
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The Kvarner islands:
Krk (connected with the mainland by a bridge), Cres, Losinj and
Rab are in the immediate vicinity. Platak, a winter resort
favoured by the people of Rijeka, is within reach. Rijeka, with
its good sea connections, regular line to the islands by
catamaran, bus and railway stations, as well as the airport on
the island of Krk, is easily accessible. It is only half an hour
drive away from the border pass to Slovenia; one hour from Trieste
in Italy, and ninety minutes to the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. |
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There
is a long tradition of city events in
Rijeka, which generally take place in the
open public spaces owing to the favourable weather. The best
example is the Rijeka Carnival, which during its 24 years
has grown into an international manifestation pronounced by the
media from abroad as a unique manifestation, not to be missed. The
24th International Carnival held in 2007, brought together about
8,000 participants in the carnival parade and about
100,000 visitors. According to the estimates of tourist
journalists, the Rijeka Carnival is the third biggest carnival
in the world after Rio de Janeiro
and Venice. |
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Regarding the development of urban tourism and the intention of
the city government to give back the sea to the city, great is the
role of the Rijeka regatta
Fiumanka, which, similarly to its model, the
Trieste
regatta Barcolana, gathers ever more participants each year. Their
attractive sailing boats and the pier with many different events
attract a great number of visitors. This is why the City of
Rijeka, within the Rijeka Gateway project, strongly
encourages the project of constructing a new marina in the
location of Porto Baross, which will be able to provide a complete
service to tourists – yachtsmen and position
Rijeka as a centre of nautical tourism. |
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History of
Rijeka
THE PAST - The town of an
uncommon, rather entangled past, past which could be compared with the
olive tree, evelasting, bended, fruit bitter to taste but of good
quality.
PREHISTORIC - Traces of
prehistoric settlements can be found in the region.
Long time ago Celtic tribe lived here, therefore name Trsat may come
from Celtic word "tarsa", meaning hill above the river. Settlements of
Illyrian tribe "Liburni" sailors, pirats and shipbuilders. In the
ancient time town's name is Tarsattica, Roman municipality (the
fortress); traces of that period almost disappeared.
VII century - Croats in war
against the Frances, count, Erich, Charles the Great favourite dies on
the Trsat hill, year 799. For the longer period of time there are no
informations.St. Vito's Reka (Rijeka)
XIIIth century - new settlement called Reka
(Rijeka) sv. Vida (St. Vito on river Rjecina; St. Veit am Pflaum),
twon with its entrances, towers, streets, squares.
Change rulers; Devin dynasty, Frankopans-Princes of Krk, Counts of
Walsea.
XIIIth/XIVth century - under the rule of Devin
dynasty GOTHIC RIJEKA is built.
Yapod fort and later on
Roman observation post situated on the left river bank becomes very
important during the time of the Frankopans.
The Habsburgs
Since 1466 till 1918 Rijeka is under Habsburg rule.
XVIIth century; town flourishes economically
and artistically. In 1627 Jesuitical Gymnasium, third in Croatia but
first in Adriatic is bu ilt (still working). Baroque buildings are
built.
XVIIIth century; Emperor Charles VI proclaimed
Rijeka a free port in 1719. Industry, shipping and handicraft
develops. First road built connecting Rijeka and Vienna in 1725
(Carolina).
XIXth century - Rijeka is eight biggest port
in Europe. 2400 workers are employed in the biggest tobacco factory in
the Empire where first steam machine in south-east Europe is
installed. More than 20 big birms and shipyards are registered.
Croatian, Italian, German, Hungarian, Slovenian, French, English and
even Swedish and Flamish languages are spoken. The only Navy Academy
in the Empire is founded (today the main hospital situated in the very
building). Museum Nugent in Trsat castle is opened (first in Croatia).
The Academic Theatre (later demolished) with 1600 seats opened.
Two women hold special
place in the XIXth century in Rijeka:
Karolina Rijecka (Carolina Rijeka) saved the town during
the Napoleon wars using her charms while negotiating with English
admiral.
Ida de Kiss, Governor's wife, by keeping company with the European
elite (e.g. Franz Liszt) brought Viennese touch to Rijeka.
Hungarian period 1870 - Hungarian government takes over the
administration in Rijeka. From 1872 to 1896 the mayor of Rijeka
Giovanni Ciotta turns Rijeka into genuine European centre. Since 1873
Rijeka is trough railway connected via Ljubljana and Zagreb with
Vienna and Budapest and next year with Triest. First rafinery in this
part of the world is built, many steamship companies and banks are
founded (Riječka banka in 1871), population is doubled, electric tram
connects all parts of the city, 22 Consulate General are assigned, 20
hotels and 9 cinemas.
Well known architects
from Triest, Vienna, Leipzig and Budapest together with local skilled
workmen built palaces all over Rijeka. The biggest in residential part
for Emperor Frank Joseph's I brother Joseph.
Between two World
Wars
In 1924 Rijeka is annexed
to the Kingdom of Italy, while Sušak to the Kingdom of SHS. Rijeka is
intesively Talianized and economically decays becoming a provincial
town. Town architecture of that time is enriched with two
sky-scrapers, those of Rijeka and SuŠak.
End of World War II opens the "Rijeka question" once again - 1947 once
and for all Rijeka returned to Croatia. After the World War II Rijeka
becomes transit, tourist, administrative, economical, industrial,
cultural and university center.
Since 1970 Rijeka is connected by air; "Airport Rijeka" on the island
Krk (25 km from Rijeka).
Reconstruction of the old city quarters begins in 1960 by the original
concept of local architect Igor Emili.
Trsat castle becomes a
center of cultural events after renovation in the 1960.
Rijeka became university
center in 1975 with its headquarters in the old municipal building in
Sušak.
After the unusual and entangled past on the edge of XXIst century -
Rijeka is finally where it belongs - in the Republic of Croatia.
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