Rijeka of Croatia – Where To Go And What To Taste

Rijeka is Croatia’s main port on the Adriatic’s Kvarner Bay. The city’s economy heavily depends on water transport, shipyards, and tourism. There is the Croatian National Theater, built-in 1765, and the University of Rijeka, founded in 1632. It is a city of historical interest as, during World War II, Yugoslav troops reached Trieste in May 1945. In this article, we will travel to Rijeka together and give you various ideas about what you can see and do there.

Must do & see

In Rijeka, there are several places worth looking for and seeing. In particular, Trsat Castle is on a hill overlooking Rijeka. The most exciting way to reach this tourist attraction is from the city center through an excellent pilgrimage path from Titov Trg on the Rjecina River up to the Stairway of Petar Kruzic along a pleasant path to Frankopanski Trg. Still, it is also possible to take public transport. Have you also heard about the famous Shrine Of Our Lady of Trsat? This is there, too, and is known for its ”miraculous” image of Mary, which is believed to have been painted by Saint Luke. Trsat Castle of the 13th century, built on an old Roman fort site and very different from that time, is notable for its magnificent views and courtyard.

Rijeka Cathedral – also known as St. Vitus Cathedral and formerly the Church of St. Vitus is worth visiting. It is a baroque structure based on a unique round floor in the heart of old Rijeka. The well-known Izaouite architect Giacomo Briano started the original construction in 1638. This was built on top of an even older structure and took over 100 years to finish, finally completed in 1744. The main attractions include a large 13th-century cross which, according to legend, began to bleed after a local threw a rock at it.

Another must-see is the administrative Palace (Guvernerova Palača) that now houses the Maritime and Historical Museum of Coastal Croatia. This magnificent old Neo-Renaissance building, designed by Alajos Haussmann, the architect of Budapest, is worth visiting. Highlights of this historical museum include an interesting display of ship models and several naval machineries. A selection of archaeological finds, ethnographic collections, and furniture displays are also quite interesting. The museum was founded in 1876 but has been housed in the Governor’s Palace since 1955.

Gastronomy

Rijeka is a food-related city, which becomes especially obvious during the holiday season. This is obvious during public celebrations, such as the days of Dionysius and St. Martin, celebrated in private shops and restaurants. In family moments, food and unique dishes are indispensable accompaniments. Pork sauce with potatoes is eaten during pilgrimages, cod on Christmas Eve, pork on the New Year, and typical ”krofne” accompany the festivities of Halloween. Ham with eggs in combination with vegetables is served at Easter. The goose is served on the day of St. Martin, while turkey and other poultry are served with sarma for Christmas. At weddings, various dishes and sweets such as ”breskvice” (peaches) exist. Many people prefer multiple specialties, like lamb and pork skewers, grilled fish, and squid, which are prepared in multiple ways, or various types of meat on the spit, such as kebabs and meat mixtures. Remember the ham and baked cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, traditional brodet fish soup, and veal.

To sum up, when you are in Croatia, eat as Croats eat. There is a huge variety of delicacies and many traditional dishes for every occasion. Their cuisine is one of the richest in Europe and will definitely not disappoint you. Book a ticket to Rijeka and indulge in the magical landscapes and new experiences this place has to bring out for you!

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