Spend your holiday in Rijeka and learn its history, legends and tradition, meet its people and become a part of it. Rijeka is waiting for you!
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Rijeka – a town that flows
Rijeka is commonly known as the town that flows and that contains rich history, industrial and cultural heritage. The oldest traces of first settlers on today’s Rijeka area date back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Even the remains of the prehistoric forts and villages of this area stand proud as a reminder on the Bronze and Iron Ages. Visit Rijeka, take a walk, take a look, explore, peak into its every corner, feel the flow – the flow of the Rijeka town.
Feel the multicultural and industrial flow
Rijeka holds the status of the multicultural, maritime and industrial town because of its ideal geographical position. Rijeka once was one of Europe’s largest ports and one of the largest industrial centers with railway and maritime routes that opened an opportunity for tourism development. Now, Rijeka has a lot to offer to the modern tourist besides the sun, sea and excellent food. Peek into the Governor’s Palace that was the residence of the governor Ljudevit Batthyany, i.e. the vice-regent of the Hungarian crown St. Stephen. His architect decided to make the palace in High Renaissance because of the stately simplicity of the classics and so designed the most beautiful public building in Rijeka. Visit the Church of St. Vito, a Jesuit rotunda (today cathedral) that was built on a site of a small demolished church dedicated to this honorable guardian of Rijeka.
Step into the Church of St. Mary’s Assumption which was built in the early Middle Ages on the ruins of the Roman thermal baths. Walk along the Korzo, drink your coffee on one of the terraces and figure it out why is Korzo called a lifeline of Rijeka. Climb up the Trsat Fortress, once a strategic lookout on a 138 meters high hill and today a favorite place of locals that is abundant with events such as open-air concerts, theater performances, literature events and art gallery exhibitions. While you’re on Trsat you should visit the Santcuary of Our Lady of Trsat that is the biggest pilgrimage center of the Western Croatia. And after all, just relax, breath in the fresh air and walk along the Rijeka’s pier also known as Molo longo because of its length over 1707 meters from which you can clearly see the transformations and progress of Rijeka – from the antic Tarsatica located on the left side of Rječina river to the strong maritime and industrial center.
Hear the Rijeka Story
Rijeka is a town full of legends that you’ll like to hear and retell. Find out what is Riječka krpica, the story behind Trsatske stube (The Stairs of Trsat), Gradska Ura (The Town Clock) or the Morčić – the symbol of Rijeka and Rijeka’s lucky-charm. Learn about diligent women called Mlikarice, which once have supplied Rijeka with milk, going everyday afoot for miles carrying the heavy milk containers on their backs. Get familiar with the story about Rijeka’s poetry knight, Janko Polić Kamov, whose words cut his contemporaries deeper than sword. Learn how two enthusiasts back in the 19th century came up on the idea to create something that will change worlds industry – the Torpedo. All in all, the most memorable thing that you should see and feel is definitely Rijeka’s Carnival, that kept the stubborn, cheerful and critical Carnival spirit despite its long history. This spirit still goes on, never gets tired and thrives year to year, always growing and showing to the new generations and visitors what does it really mean “Krepat, ma ne molat!” (“To die but never give up!”).
So, don’t give up, feel the Rijeka spirit. Take a walk, take a rest, taste the best in and of Rijeka. Cause Rijeka has the flow that you’ll like to go with!
Things to do in Rijeka
- Experience the festivities of Kvarner, starting from Rijeka’s Summer on Gradina (all summer), Rijeka’s Summer Nights (cultural festival with theater plays, live concerts, conceptual and themed events, in the late June) or Hartera music festival in September
- Hangout place for beer lovers definitely is Celtic café Bard, so take a walk to the center of Rijeka and relax yourself on their little cozy terrace under the stars or climb up to the Trsat and visit Badi Pub – a pub that has always been the home of good music and vibrations
- In small café bar Cukarikafe you’ll find the most tasteful coffee in Rijeka’s’ Old Town and the very best vision of Rijeka’s summer nights you’ll definitely find in the Tunel – a bar under the railway in the area called Školjić
- Rijeka is known as a rock city so visit cult places such as bar Palach, the oldest Rijeka rock club, or sit on the benches on the square in front of the hotel Continental and rest yourself from hustle and bustle by the Rječina river, just like many generations of locals used to do it and still are doing it every day
- If you’re visiting Rijeka for a few of days we recommend you to definitely visit and stay in the first botel in Croatia, called Marina that is located in front of the Adamić pier
- Take a walk through galleries of Rijeka and check out what’s happening on the art scene, we assure you that there is always something provocative going on
- Visit Peek&Poke, a twin museum – one for computers and one for toys – that will bring you back to you childhood. Imagine you and/or your child playing together Asteroids on a vintage Atari
- Check out the breathtaking architecture of the fish market – its architect Carlo Pergoli was under the influence of the Vienna Secession and elements of the Romanic style so he shared his vision with the famous Venice sculptor Urbano Bottasso with whose little help Rijeka can “boast” today with an architectural grandeur of the cultural monument
- If you really want to take with you the spirit of Rijeka, you should visit Souvenirs & gift shop Šta da?. “Šta da” is an idiom peculiar to Rijeka that literally means“what yes?” but it is used as an expression of surprise that you can translate as “really, you don’t say?” or “you whaaaat?”
- Visit Mažuranić-Brlić-Ružić Library and Collection that some people named as a “important sea-fronted historical gem” of Croatian cultural heritage
First two photos by Mario Fajt / CC BY
