Kvarner Riviera

Kvarner Riviera, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Kvarner Riviera, Croatia

When we say Kvarner Land we mean on the coast of Kvarner Riviera that includes Opatija, Lovran, Moscenicka Draga and Volosko which are some of the resplendent places that streches along  the Mount Ucka.

These tourist settlements are placed in very mild and favourable climate with a luxuriant flora, enriched with exotic plants such as magnolias, giant sequoias, cammelias and palm trees that surround many  beutiful old villas. 

Following the coast we can find a lot of proves of rich and interesting history and also many places for enjoing, resting...

History

Lovran History

Liburnians were the first Illyrians who colonized the first settlement on the south-east part of Istrian peninsula - Lovran. Its name got from the beautiful plant that is in Latin "laurus". From 9th 'til 11th century Lovran was under the reign of Croatian dukes and kings. After gets under the reign of German Empire and in that time it was a very important port and an economic center. From 12th 'til 14th century Lovran was a property of the Devinski dukes. The city walls were built in 16th century for the purpose of the defense from Ottomans and Venice. During the wars between the Croats and Venice, Lovran was burnt, and once was almost completely ruined. The city managed to renovate and in 19th century the reign of Austria, France and Britain rotated and ended again the hands of Austria. This century is the beggining of the tourism here and the built of touristic facilities started. With the built of hotels, villas, spas, baths and aquaduct also grew the number of tourists, which turned this town in the favourite wintering and resting place and also a sanatorium for the personages from the Habsburg family. In 20th century as well as other littoral parts of Croatia and Istria, Lovran gets under the reign of Italy and after the World War II Germany occupies this teritory. As a part of an Independent State of Croatia, Lovran started to develope itself as a touristic center on the coast of Kvarner.

The historical core of the town is surrounded with the remains of an ancient city walls that are partly kept only on the southern part and the city gates that are remained and lead to the sea-port. An old houses that still have a middle-age Baroque and Romanesque features surround the main city square. Parish church of St. Jurja was built in 13th century and it is located in an old city. Trough the history the church was expanded so it has features from different art trends. There are also a Romanesque-Gothic church of St. Trinity and a Romanesque church of St. Ivan.

Opatija History

This peach is located under the green hills of mountain Učka by the beautiful Adriatic Sea in the by of Kvarner. In the past the teritory of today's Opatija was several settlements. its name got from the benedictineabbey (croatian word for abbey is "opatija") that was built in 12th century. The patron saint of Opatija is St. Jakov. All the architecture beauties and buildings are built in 19th century, which is also a century when the tourism started to develope here. The tourism was motivated when the famous patrician from Rijeka named Scarpa built villa "Angiolina" and a park within the villa. The villa was a popular host to many world famous business people. After was built the road that connected Opatija with Rijeka, wich was a very important Adriatic port. The developement of tourism was speeded when the first hotels and spa were built. The World Wars have devastated many towns and also Opatija. But, after the wars Opatija grew in something more beautiful then ever. The "Old Lady" has an experience that collected trough the history, which made her so special and mystical.

The legend says that the statue of Madonna del Mare was made in the memorial of two lovers that tragically died by Hans Rathauskya. On the place of that statue, today stands on the rocks by the sea the statue of the Girl With a Seagull, which is the trademark of Opatija. In Opatija are placed a lot of churches, villas and residential structures that are worth of visiting 'cause they all kept their historical features. Also there is a park in front of villa Angiolina that is one of the most beautiful parks in this area and the Croatian Walk of Fame where you can see 24 stars that were put in the promenade Slatina for all those who improved Croatian in any way.

Culture

Lovran Art

Lovran is famous as fishing settlement that has a long coastal tradition. Every year in autumn  is held the festival of maroons named "Marunada". There are also a fishing festivities and the Days of Asparagus and the days when the celebration is dedicated to the patron saint - St. Juraj. There are two galleries: the Gallery Laurus and the Gallery Fortezza.

Opatija Art

The galleries in Opatija are: Art Pavilion “Juraj Šporer”, Gallery-Studio Bonačić Giulio, Gallery Gal, Studio Artlan. In the Open-air theatre you can find many cultural events such as ballet and opera performances, rock, pop, jazz and classical music concerts.  Here are also held festivals: The Summer in opatija, The Days of the town Opatija, Liburnia Jazz Festival, The Night of St. Lovro, The Croatian Radio Festival, Liburnia Summer Nights, Liburnia Entertainment Highlight...

Opatija Museums

The Croatian Museum of Tourism in Opatija is placed in Villa Angiolina. On the firts floor of the museum is placed a collection named Opatija - the golden bigginings of Croatian tourism. In the museum you can find many interesting things about the history of Opatija.

Things to do

Lovran Nightlife

Beside the traditional festivities that are held every year in Lovran, you can also have fun at a bar Monte Cristo and in coffee bar Orange. If you are looking for long night parties during the summer you can also go to Opatija where is plenty of bars and disco clubs.

Lovran Daytime

Since Lovran is famous as a sanatorium, during the day you can visit one of wellness centers and relax yourself. If you are more a sport type then you can do all kinds of water sports or beach sports. You can also visit the Nature Park Učka where are made 8 cycle traks.

Opatija Nightlife

During the summer a great fun in Opatija is guaranteed. There is plenty of bars, clubs and coffee bars to go out. Some of them are Hemingway, Disco Seven, Monokini, Lord Bayron, Cristal, Colosseum... Opatija also has many casinoes to go to.

Opatija Daytime

There is a lot of activities that Opatija offers to its visitors. Some of them are: all kind of water sports, tennis, football, volleyball, paragliding, running, bowling, windsurfing... Or you can simply take a peaceful walk trough the promenade that is 12 km long and starts in Volosko and passing trough Opatija finishes in Lovran.

Hoy to reach us

Lovran

Lovran can be reached: by personal vehicle from any part of Europe; by bus from any bigger European town to the bus station in Rijeka or Opatija and further with the public bus straight to Lovran; by plane to the airport on the Island of Krk and then by taxi or bus to Lovran; by boat you can anchor in the marina.

Opatija

Opatija can be reached: by bus which connects all the mains cities and other settlements along Croatia; by train to the railway station in Rijeka; by plane to the airport on the Island of Krk; by boat or by personal car from any part of Europe.