This is one of the most elegant and the oldest seaside resorts on the amazing Croatian coast.
This is Opatija, a small coastal town west of Rijeka that was developed in the 19th century for
rich and powerful Austrian and Hungarian nobility. It has beautiful parks, magnificent villas and
hotels and a long coastal promenade. Opatija has the longest tradition of tourism in Croatia and
managed to preserve its original classy charm and beauty. Hi guys, my name is Rok and I’ve spent the
last 9 years travelling around Europe as a tour guide and I can’t wait to show you Opatija.
Opatija is closely related to this Benedictine Abbey as the word Opatija in Croatian means Abbey.
The Abbey and the church were built in 14 hundreds and over the centuries got renovated and expanded.
Before other buildings were built this Abby was the heart of social life and was also used as the
first school. The church is dedicated to St James, the patron saint of Opatija and inside you can
see his 15 century statue together with some other art work. In front of the church stands the statue
of Madonna Del Mare. This statue used to stand on the waterfront promenade but was later replaced by
the famous statue of the Girl with a Seagull. The church is surrounded by a park where you can spot
a neo-baroque fountain with sculptures of Helios, Greek sun of God and Selene, goddess of the Moon.
The park stretches down to the sea where there is also an Art Pavilion used for artistic events
and exhibitions. Pavilion was originally a café and a pastry shop built in 1900.
For centuries Opatija remained just a small fishing village with an Abbey. But in the 1840s
a Nobleman Iginijo Scarpa from nearby Rijeka decided to build this summer holiday villa.
Scarpa named it Villa Angiolina after his deceased wife and the place quickly became
a centre of social life. Here he hosted his rich and powerful friends and the word about the
beauty of this place quickly spread around. At the time Opatija was part of Austro-Hungarian Empire
and in just a few decades it quickly developed as a tourist and vacation centre and was even
visited by the Austrian emperor. Numerous magnificent villas, hotels, summer houses,
parks and promenades were built. The development was rapid thanks to the newly built rail line
connecting nearby Rijeka with the capital cities of Vienna and Budapest. After the First world war
Opatija became part of Italy, and after the second world war it became part of
Yugoslavia. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 Opatija was succeeded by Croatia.
Since this villa started tourism in Croatia, it has become Croatian Museum of Tourism.
You can see the inside by visiting the museum that is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Villa Angiolina is surrounded by a beautiful spacious park with a great variety of plant
species from different parts of the world. The camellia, which thrives in this park, has become a
symbol of Opatija. The first Camellia was planted by Scarpa in memory of his beloved wife as they
are flowers of love. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and careful maintenance, the park has a
perfect appearance throughout the year. Throughout the park you can find many nice spots with benches
under lush green trees that provide cool shade. From the park you can also enoy in beautiful
views of the sourunding coastline. Here is also nice partly rocky and partly concrete beach,
a bar and a restaurant with gorgeous sea view. In the park is also an Open Air Theatre.
Originally it was supposed to be a prestigious health resort, but the onset of World War I
disrupted its development. After the war Istria, with Opatija included, came under the Italian rule
and instead of a health resort Open Air Theatre was built and now hosts major musical events.
This enchanting seafront promenade stretches for 12 kilometres or 7.5 miles.
It was built in the heyday, when Opatija was a famous health and tourist resort for the elite,
at the turn from the 19th to 20th centuries. As it was built by the Austrians it was named after
the emperor Franz Joseph I st and that is still its official name. But the promenade is better
known as Lungomare or coastal promenade. It runs along the coast and connects Opatija with the
picturesque fishing village of Volosko on one side and the village of Lovran on the other side. This
is a favourite place for a stroll and besides beautiful sea views it also offers beneficial
health effects of the local climate. The promenade passes some of the most beautiful beaches,
coves and architecture including Hotel Kvarner, the oldest hotel on the east coast of
Adriatic. It was built in 1884 and was the first luxury property in Opatija. Along the promenade
you will also notice other landmarks like Croatian walk of fame modelled on the Hollywood Street of
Fame. But the most beautiful landmark is the statue of the Girl with the Seagull.
This statue replaced a gilded statue of Madonna Del Mare built in a memory count Kesselstadt that
tragically lost his life here in a spring storm in 1891. Over the years of harsh coastal weather
the gilded sculpture was damaged. After Opatija became part of Yugoslavia, communist regime didn’t
approve religious symbols and so the Madonna statue was replaced with a Girl with the seagull.
Since then it has become a symbol, not only of Opatija, but the entire Gulf of Kvarner.
In its heyday as a renowned climatic health resort, Opatija also had forest
paths that are still in use today. Here you can restore your energy in the fresh air and
unspoilt nature and escape the scorching summer heat. Forest Trails were built in
1901 according to the plans of the Bavarian doctor Örtel. They were accurately measured
and provided with distance markings and rest areas with benches. This forest promenade
leads to a viewpoint with a gazebo built on Queen Elisabeth’s Rock. The viewpoint is also
known as Mala Fortica, but to be honest the views are not the best as they are obstructed by trees.
But the walk on the path shaded by the thick forest is very relaxing, beuatiful and magical.
Besides many parks Opatija also has a secret garden with a stunning view over the Gulf
of Kvarner. This century old park is called American Garden and was recently reopened to
the public. It was built by a rich Hungarian paprika merchant. He came to Opatija in the
1920s and fell in love with the wonderful view from the green terraces. In one of his dreams
an angel appeared among flowers and fountains and promised him help to lay out a magnificent garden.
Soon it turned out that the Angel in his dream was actually a woman who ran a flower shop in Opatija.
The couple fell in love and got married. Together they created this beautiful botanical garden.
The gardens are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 8pm and there is no entrance fee.
It is easy to see why at the end of the 19th century Opatija was chosen by the elite as a
luxury holiday destination. Despite the fact that in the last century Opatija belonged to
4 different countries it managed to preserve its original charm. Today
Opatija also offers a wide range of beaches from luxury ones with swimming pools,
restaurants and bars to the main public beach that is partly concrete and partly sandy.
From Opatija you can see the nearby islands of Krk and Cres, which can be visited by crossing
a bridge and by ferry. Rijeka is also only 15 minutes drive away. If you like this video
please give it a thumbs up. You can share your questions, suggestions or experience about Opatija
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