Selfie from Trsat Castle
Today we are in the beautiful city of Rijeka! Rijeka is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, in the Kvarner Bay. It’s definitely known as a port city, but it's so much more than just that!
The city is rich with history, beauty, nature and even has a stunning castle with the most breathtaking view of the city, the river, the bay, and beyond! Rijeka is full of charm and was actually chosen for the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture for 2020.
Here are some incredible spots to check out for yourself!
Here are some incredible spots to check out for yourself!
1. City Market
City Market in Rijeka
Our first stop was at the famous city market which consists of two pavilions and the Fish Market building. It was so much bigger than I imagined it would be. It has sections for fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, canned items, dairy items, and even a beautiful flower market!
You can really find anything and everything needed to eat fresh and healthy.
Next to the city market we noticed the National Theatre, which is almost identical to the one in Zagreb (because it had the same architect). Rijeka's National Theatre is 10 years older than the one in Zagreb, but they're both absolutely beautiful and full of detail.
You can really find anything and everything needed to eat fresh and healthy.
Next to the city market we noticed the National Theatre, which is almost identical to the one in Zagreb (because it had the same architect). Rijeka's National Theatre is 10 years older than the one in Zagreb, but they're both absolutely beautiful and full of detail.
2. Korzo
Korzo
If you are in Rijeka for only a few hours, you should definitely take a walk along Rijeka's Korzo. Korzo is Rijeka's most famous street and runs right through the city center. It's where the locals gather, have coffee, people watch, meet with friends, etc. It's kind of like the heart of Rijeka.
Various events often take place on Korzo, too. Hereyou can see street musicians and entertainers, outdoor exhibitions, market stalls, sporting events etc. Korzo shows us what Rijeka really is all about, and you get a feeling for the city and its people when you walk along this lively street.
Various events often take place on Korzo, too. Hereyou can see street musicians and entertainers, outdoor exhibitions, market stalls, sporting events etc. Korzo shows us what Rijeka really is all about, and you get a feeling for the city and its people when you walk along this lively street.
3. City Tower
City Clock Tower in Rijeka
Along Korzo, you'll also find the famous clock tower, which has really become a symbol of the city. The long history of Rijeka is written on the face of the City Tower, which is a building that has become a true architectural and art symbol of the city.
By the end of the 17th century, Rijeka was surrounded by walls, within which the entire public, cultural and economic city life took place. It was possible to enter this fortified town through the “Sea Gate” which is what its citizens refer to it as.
By the end of the 17th century, Rijeka was surrounded by walls, within which the entire public, cultural and economic city life took place. It was possible to enter this fortified town through the “Sea Gate” which is what its citizens refer to it as.
4. Tarsatica
Tarsatica, ancient city
One surprising thing we stumbled upon was the old Roman settlement of Tarsatica, which dates back to around 5 A.D. It's incredible that they have these ruins right in the center of the city, with modern-day housing, cafe-bars and streets surrounding it all.
Tarsatica was a small settlement that belonged to the Roman province of Dalmatia, and it developed because of its position at the mouth of the river Rijecina.
Tarsatica was a small settlement that belonged to the Roman province of Dalmatia, and it developed because of its position at the mouth of the river Rijecina.
5. St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala sv. Vida)
St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala sv. Vida)
We also stopped at Sv. Vitus Cathedral in Rijeka. It's very unique because of its incredible architecture and unique, circular shape - and the only one of that size in Croatia.
The cathedral took over 100 years to build, and is regarded as the most important church in Rijeka.
Sveti Vitus Cathedral was originally built as a monastery church of the Jesuits of Rijeka, on the site of a demolished church dedicated to the patron saint of Rijeka, St. Vitus.
The cathedral took over 100 years to build, and is regarded as the most important church in Rijeka.
Sveti Vitus Cathedral was originally built as a monastery church of the Jesuits of Rijeka, on the site of a demolished church dedicated to the patron saint of Rijeka, St. Vitus.
6. Trsat Castle (Trsatska Gradina)
Trsat Castle (Trsatska Gradina)
Trsat Castle was the next destination in Rijeka that we went to go find. You can drive up to the castle, or you can take the Petar Kruzic Stairway (some refer to it as the stairway to heaven), which has 538 steps to the top. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with the most picturesque views of the city, the river, the bay, the sea, and everything in between! It's truly spectacular.
The existence of the Trsat Castle dates back to Roman times, when they built and used it as their military fortress. Trsat castle was first mentioned as the seat of the parish in 1288.
Nowadays, in addition to the beautiful unique view of the city and the Kvarner Bay, Gradina has become a place of numerous art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances and entertainment programs, and a historical museum visited by many tourists each year.
We stopped for a beer at the castle (there's a cocktail bar at the top), and had the best table in the whole place, with the most scenic view we could have asked for!
The existence of the Trsat Castle dates back to Roman times, when they built and used it as their military fortress. Trsat castle was first mentioned as the seat of the parish in 1288.
Nowadays, in addition to the beautiful unique view of the city and the Kvarner Bay, Gradina has become a place of numerous art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances and entertainment programs, and a historical museum visited by many tourists each year.
We stopped for a beer at the castle (there's a cocktail bar at the top), and had the best table in the whole place, with the most scenic view we could have asked for!
7. Peek and Poke Museum
Peek and Poke Museum
Our last stop in Rijeka was the Peek and Poke Museum. This was a very fascinating place, with old computers, gaming consoles, really any kind of old piece of "technology" from 1960 onwards. Our guide Josip walked us through the whole museum and did a great job telling the true stories of all of the "old" technology.
‘Peek & Poke opened its doors on September 22, 2007 after five months of remodeling the space. Although the idea was floating around for a long time, it wasn’t until that year that Dario Džimbeg, Tomislav Ribičić, Tomislav Talan and Svetozar Nilović decided to unite the collections and start this very interesting and unique museum.
One interesting thing is that you can play video games on any game console, they’re in working order, so that is so much fun for kids and nostalgic for adults. We played one of the first and the most popular video games “Packman” and it was so much fun.
A couple other things to mention when visiting Rijeka:
‘Peek & Poke opened its doors on September 22, 2007 after five months of remodeling the space. Although the idea was floating around for a long time, it wasn’t until that year that Dario Džimbeg, Tomislav Ribičić, Tomislav Talan and Svetozar Nilović decided to unite the collections and start this very interesting and unique museum.
One interesting thing is that you can play video games on any game console, they’re in working order, so that is so much fun for kids and nostalgic for adults. We played one of the first and the most popular video games “Packman” and it was so much fun.
A couple other things to mention when visiting Rijeka:
8. Governor's Palace (Guvernerova Palača
Governor's Palace is one of today's most famous buildings in Rijeka. built in 1896. It's an impressive historic palace which became a Maritime and History museum. Inside of the building you can see the furniture and other period pieces which are all very well preserved.
There are other artifacts displayed as well, like ceramics, glass, paintings, weapons etc. There's also an archaeological exhibit with all sorts of finds displayed - stone tools, pots, coins, jewelry and more.
You can even try your hand at writing in the old Croatian script called Glagolitic (glagoljica).
The top floor houses a maritime exhibit - model ships, equipment, paintings and of course an original life jacket from the Titanic also lives here (which is actually the only one in all of Europe!)
An interesting thing to note is that only 5 of the life jackets from the Titanic in the world have been preserved, and all of them but one (here in Rijeka) ended up in the States.
There are other artifacts displayed as well, like ceramics, glass, paintings, weapons etc. There's also an archaeological exhibit with all sorts of finds displayed - stone tools, pots, coins, jewelry and more.
You can even try your hand at writing in the old Croatian script called Glagolitic (glagoljica).
The top floor houses a maritime exhibit - model ships, equipment, paintings and of course an original life jacket from the Titanic also lives here (which is actually the only one in all of Europe!)
An interesting thing to note is that only 5 of the life jackets from the Titanic in the world have been preserved, and all of them but one (here in Rijeka) ended up in the States.
9. Astronomical Center Rijeka
The Astronomical center is located on the St. Cross Hill (Sv.Križa). It is located in a building that was actually built in 1941 as a military fortification, then in 2001, the star observatory was opened. There was a lot of growing interest, and so a couple years later, the center was created.
This center is the only one in Croatia that unites the observatory, the planetarium and other occasional facilities that are part of it, as well.
The planetarium is home to a dome that’s 8 meters in diameter, and a hall with 50 seats to observe. The programs are diverse and are intended for all ages, and the prices are pretty reasonable for an unforgettable observation experience (real or simulated).
We were very pleasantly surprised with Rijeka as a city, and we were so happy we got to experience it all. There was so much more to do here than we ever thought, and it's a very beautiful, historical city that should be on everyone's list!
This center is the only one in Croatia that unites the observatory, the planetarium and other occasional facilities that are part of it, as well.
The planetarium is home to a dome that’s 8 meters in diameter, and a hall with 50 seats to observe. The programs are diverse and are intended for all ages, and the prices are pretty reasonable for an unforgettable observation experience (real or simulated).
We were very pleasantly surprised with Rijeka as a city, and we were so happy we got to experience it all. There was so much more to do here than we ever thought, and it's a very beautiful, historical city that should be on everyone's list!
