Rijeka and the Gulf of Kvarner, Croatia – European

Capital of Culture
Rijeka is the 2020 European Capital of Culture and the Gulf of Kvarner contains a number of
attractive islands with the largest, Krk, accessible bridge.

By Rupert Parker -Jul 6, 2020

Tourism to Croatia has now been given the green light and is one of the 25 countries to welcome
British tourists. Tourists have been coming to Rijeka since the 19th century when Croatia was part
of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Rich aristocrats spent their summers here, building opulent villas
in the Hapsburg style.

They were attracted by the cobalt waters of the Gulf of Kvarner, with forested mountains tumbling
down to the sea, and the port of Rijeka provided cultural sustenance. It’s been reborn in 2020 as
this year’s European Capital of Culture with more than 600 events planned. I’m staying in the 4*
Grand Hotel Bonavia, in the heart of the city, recently revamped. My spacious room has a balcony
with a view over the rooftops to the harbour and the sea beyond.

The city is an interesting mix of Hapsburg and Communist architecture with its only skyscraper
built during Mussolini’s time with money from Al Capone’s accountant.

A bulk cargo terminal has replaced the old port and the buildings lie derelict with former President
Tito’s yacht sits rotting at the dock. The pedestrian “Korso”, however, just behind the seafront, is
lined with elegant buildings, shops and cafes and is surprisingly alive. It’s where the locals take
their evening promenade, perhaps on their way to a concert at the Croatian National Theatre Ivan
Zajc which opened in 1885.

I’m lucky to catch a performance of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky and marvel at the ceiling
frescoes painted by Gustav Klimt. To watch the sunset, it’s worth walking up to Trsat Castle, a
semi-ruined 13th-century fortress, which has views down the Rječina river to the docks, Adriatic
and the island of Krk.

13km west of Rijeka, Opatija was a tiny fishing village until it was discovered by the Viennese rich
and famous. Villa Angiolina, built in1844, was the first to host distinguished European aristocrats,
including the Austrian Queen Maria Anna, and the building of the Vienna-Trieste railway brought
in the rest. Russian Tsars, kings from Romania and Sweden, even Isadora Duncan, all flocked here
and built their own beautiful belle époque villas.

Kirk

Krk is Croatia’s largest island, with a population of around 20,000, and attracts hordes of tourists in
the summer, although it’s surprisingly easy to get away from them. Krk town was founded by the
Romans and still has parts of their old walls and gates, and the Frankopan castle was built in the
12th century. Its streets are too narrow for cars, so the centre is a charming pedestrian labyrinth
stuffed with craft boutiques and restaurants.
Vibrink

10km away, on the Eastern side of the island, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, is the
medieval village of Vrbnik. It claims to have the narrowest street in the world, just 43cm wide, but
the real attraction here is the food and the local žlahtina white wine.

Baska

At the southern tip is Baska, an attractive resort set on a glorious bay. I take a hike along the
“moon trail” path over stark limestone hills, dotted with stone pens still used for corralling and
shearing sheep. I’m lucky enough to see a couple of rare Griffon Vultures, extinct in the rest of the
country, and only found in these islands.

I can’t leave without visiting the 12th century St Lucy church in Jurandvor just nearby. Here, in
1851 a huge stone tablet was discovered in the paving, weighing 800kg and dating from around
1100. It’s inscribed in Glagolitic script, the oldest form of Slavic writing, widely used from the 9th
to the 16th century and records Croatian King Zvonimir’s donation of a piece of land to a
Benedictine abbey. It has the first written mention of the word Croatia so it’s an apt place to end
my visit.

1. Tourists come to Rijeka from

A. 19th century

B. 21st century

C. 17th century

D. is not mentioned in the text

2. Rijeka port provided

A. social support

B. economic heritage

C. cultural support

D. commercial value

3. Rupert Parker stayed at the Grand Hotel Bonavia, located in

A. Gulf of Kvarner

B. in the heart of the city

C. Rijeka Port

D. close to the sea

4. The only skyscraper in the city was built with money from

A. Rachmaninov

B. Mussolini

C. Ivan Zajc

D. Al Capone

5. According to the text, when Villa Angiolina was built?

A. In 1844

B. In 1848

C. In 1990

D. In 1840

6. By which group the KRK Town of Croatian's largest island was founded?

A. By the Aztecs

B. By the Egyptians

C. By the Romans

D. By the Barbarians

7. What is the main idea of the text:

A. Explains the Croatia culture

B. Explains the advantages of being a tourist

C. Describes the pictures

D. Describes the most visit countries of Croatia by the tourist and explain his history

8. Why is Croatia called the European Capital of Culture?

A. Since she develops all kinds of artistic manifestations.

B. Due to its cultural diversity

C. For being discovered by the rich and famous Viennese

9.What architecture predominates in this city?

A. The city is an interesting mix of Habsburg and communist architecture with its only skyscraper
built during Mussolini's time.

B. Variety of architecture accompanied by precious stones

C. Large, eye-catching, gold-plated architecture

10. Considering the great diversity of this city, one of the best places to visit would be?

A. Opatija, a small fishing village until it was discovered by the rich and famous Viennese.

B. Virbnik, for its variety of cuisine in its cuisine.

C. Baska, on the "moon trail" trail over the limestone hills, dotted with stone feathers that are still
used to corner and shear sheep.