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Opatija
Opatija is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and a place with the longest tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. It is located in the Bay of Kvarner beneath Mount Ucka at the point where the Mediterranean reaches most deeply into the European continent. Mount Ucka and the nearby islands provide good shelter from strong winds for this tourist resort that can easily be reached at any time throughout the year. Beautiful nature, parks, old Austrian villas, seaside promenade and beaches attract tourists from Europe and world for more then 160 years.
In 1844 the powerful merchant Higinio von Scarpa erected Villa Angiolina, with beautiful green and a lavish park around it, visited by distinguished guests - the Croatian Viceroy Josip Jelacic, the Austrian empress Maria Anna - which soon made Opatija a popular excursion destination of the inhabitants from Rijeka, then of the Italians and Austrians. Opatija was the first in the region of the Adriatic to introduce tourist statistics already in 1884, and the first hotel on the Adriatic, called Kvarner, was built by the Society of the Southern Railways in 1884; situated on the very coast and luxuriously furnished, it attracted exclusively elite guests. Already in 1889 Opatija was declared the first climatic seaside resort on the Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the most fashionable tourist resort.
Climatic conditions are favourable, with relatively mild winters and pleasant summers. Continuous circulation of air and sea aerosol. The average air temperature in summer is 22 degrees Celsius, and in winter 7 degrees Celsius. The sea temperature in summer goes up to 26 degrees Celsius. The area averages 2,400 hours of sunshine a year. The whole narrow coastal strip is covered with evergreen vegetation; there are no loose soils or water springs.
sightseeing
The Angiolina park - Villa Angiolina:
Villa "Angiolina" is the building that certainly marked the beginning of the tourist epoch in the history of Opatija. Saint Jacob's Church Pending its building in 1844. (actually a reconstruction of an older building owned by baron Haller von Hallerstein), Opatija was a relatively large settlement with about 120 houses, clustered mainly around plots further away from the sea coast and chiefly oriented towards fishing and seafaring.
The Park of Sv. Jakov:
The central Opatija park is a horticultural monument covering an area of 3.64 hectares. It is divided into 60 fields and about 159 plant species grow here. A great number of them originates from distant parts of the world and is not typical of this region.
Lungomare (Seaside Promenade):
Built in phases, this path stretches from Preluka to Lovran and its total length is approximately 12 kilometres.
The Fountain - Helios and Selena:
Work of the sculptor Hans Rathautsky from 1889. Situated vis-à-vis Hotel Imperial, in the vicinity of the Church of St. Jakov.
Maiden with the Seagull:
Work of the sculptor Zvonko Car, placed near the sea in 1956. It is one of the symbols of Opatija.
St Jakov's Church:
Built on the foundations of the past Benedictine monastery, it is mentioned for the first time in 1439. To the left, near the church, the monastery and the cloister are located , with a well in the middle. Between the church and the monastery stands the stone bell-tower.
opatija riviera
The Opatija Riviera (25 km long) is spread along the eastern coast of Istria, at the foot of Ucka (1396 m), sheltered from winds.
Volosko:
This authentic fishing village of old narrow houses and two lighthouses was first mentioned in 1543, but is unquestionably older. Only one kilometer from the centre of Opatija, come and experience the unforgettable maritime feeling. Fishing nets hang in the picturesque small port 'Mandrac' and the beautiful sounds of a cappella singing groups are frequently heard in the early evening hours in the exceptional seafood restaurants.
Icici:
Situated just outside of Opatija, Icici is a well known nautical centre. The ACI Marina has about 300 sea berths and 40 land berths, and offers a complete range of nautical services. The marina has also been granted the "Blue Flag" for its high ecological standards.
Ika:
One kilometre west of Icici is the old fishing village of Ika. Just next to the port are the hotel and beach. Just behind, take in the view of this quaint fishing town with just under five hundred residents.
Lovran:
This significant tourism destination began to develop at virtually the same time as Opatija. This formerly maritime oriented town just 7 kilometres west of Opatija today is the boutique destination on the Riviera, with a number of exclusive and renovated villas dating back to the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Moscenicka Draga:
The number of inhabitants in the winter, at just under 500, increases several fold in the summer months, as this town lives for and from tourism. Just 15 kilometres from Opatija, this is the sight of one of the most beautiful pebble beaches on the Adriatic Sea.
