Rijeka is the principal seaport of Croatia, located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. It has 144,043 inhabitants (2001) with greater city area reaching up to 200,000 and is Croatia's third largest city. Rijeka is the center of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in Croatia. The city's economy largely depends on sea transport, shipbuilding and tourism. Rijeka hosts the Croatian National Theatre "Ivan pl. Zajc", first built in 1765, as well as the University of Rijeka, founded in 1973 but with roots dating back to 1632. The local football clubs are NK Rijeka and NK Orijent.
Rijeka is the largest port in Croatia. According to the Rijeka Port Authority, its total throughput cargo in 2007 was more than 13 million tons and is rapidly increasing.
Rijeka's position overlooking the Kvarner Bay with its islands (Cres, Krk) on the south, the Učka mountain on the west, the mountains of Gorski kotar to the north and the Velebit range to the east offers an impressive natural setting.
PLACE TO VISIT
Tvornica "Torpedo" (the Torpedo factory) The first European prototypes of a self-propelled torpedo were created by Giovanni Luppis, a retired naval engineer from Rijeka. The remains of this factory still exist, including a well-preserved launch ramp used for testing self-propelled torpedoes on which in 1866 the first torpedo was tested.
Svetište Majke Božje Trsatske (Sanctuary of Madonna Trsatian) (Zvijezda mora, Kraljica Jadrana, zaštitnica putnika - Star of the sea, Queen of Adriatic, protector of the travelers.) Built 135 meters above the sea on the Trsat hill 7 centuries ago, it represents the Guardian of Travelers, especially seamen, who bring offerings to her so she will guard them or help them in time of trouble or illness. Among other points of interest are the Gothic sculpture of (Gospa Slunjska) the Madonna of Slunj and works by the Baroque painter C. Tasce.
Stara vrata, Rimski luk (Old gate, Roman arch) At first it was thought that this was a Roman Triumphal Arch built by the Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus but later it was discovered to be just a portal to the pretorium, the army command in late antiquity.
Church of St. Vid. The church is depicted on the reverse of the Croatian 100 kuna banknote, issued in 1993 and 2002
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Zračna luka Rijeka - Rijeka airport is situated on the nearby island of Krk, around 17 km from the railway station in Rijeka.
* Croatia Airlines flies between London (Heathrow) and Rijeka.
* Tuifly connects Rijeka with Bonn/Cologne, Hannover, Leipzig, Memmingen and Stuttgart.
* Norwegian connects Rijeka with Oslo.
There is a designated bus service from the airport into Rijeka. There are regular bus services from Rijeka into Zagreb Airport for connections there. The Croatia Airlines website has more information.
By train - Rijeka has been an important railhead since its early days as one of the major ports of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and is connected with direct services to other major cities in Croatia (Zagreb, Osijek) as well as twice daily services to Ljubljana in Slovenia, and one train via Zagreb each day to Budapest. Services to Pula by train are possible, though as the two cities are not connected in Croatia by rail (the connection is now in Slovenia), a designated bus is timed to take you that part of the journey.
The Railway station is located in 5 Krešimirova Street, at the northern edge of the town area. Information on rail services is available on the information counter, or on the telephone +385 (0)60 333-44-44. You can buy tickets or make reservations at the station ticket-office (+385 (0)51 21-33-33). The railway station has a luggage lockers open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, ans is charged 15 kn. There is also a tourism information office in the station building, but is open odd hours - although there is a large map at the front of the station building. There is also an ATM at the station.
By bus - Rijeka is connected by bus with bigger cities in Croatia, Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe. The busy bus terminal is located in the city centre at the foot of the imposing Capuchin church, on Trg Žabica. You can find good information on timetable and fares at the Autotrans office (which also sells tickets), at Žabica 1 or by telephone +385 (0)60 30-20-10. Timetable is also available on the company's website. There is a left-luggage office next to the newspaper and cigarette stand, open from 5:30 am till 10:30 pm (the latest of all the transport modes in Rijeka). Luggage safekeeping is charged 9 kn.
By ship - As one of the largest ports of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and the largest port in Croatia, ships play an important role in the life of Rijeka. Of best use to travellers from Rijeka is the Jadrolinija ferry service. The state-owned company operates small vessels to the nearby islands, as well as large car-carrying ferries down the Adriatic Coast to Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik before travelling to Bari in Italy. Ferries operate the year round, and are more frequent in the summer months. The passenger terminal is located in the city center, and on the waterfront just near the Jadrolinija office building (where one buys tickets on the ground floor) is a left-luggage office.
