Opatija (Italian: Abbazía) is a town in Croatia. Located at the
foot of the mountain and nature park Učka, Opatija offers an
excellent choice for vacation in summer and winter. Beautiful
nature, parks, old Austro-Hungarian villas, promenades and beaches
have been attracting tourists from Europe and the world for 160
years. Opatija is the leading tourist destination in the Republic of
Croatia for the organization of congresses, seminars and
conferences. Through festivals, concerts, exhibitions and other
cultural and sporting events, Opatija offers cultural and
entertainment facilities throughout the year.
Opatija is
located on the eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula, and lies at
the foot of Mount Učka. It is the largest city and the center of the
Liburnian area, which stretches from Plomin, along the coast and the
mountain massif of Učka and Ćićarija to Rupa and Kastav.
Opatija is a tourist
town, picturesque in appearance. With its tradition and appearance,
it stands out from other tourist cities because its, albeit
short-lived history is very vivid.
Opatija's climate is
sub-Mediterranean, which means that it is not like in Dalmatia, but
the temperatures are slightly lower, and there is more rainfall and
cloudy days a year than in the southern parts of the Adriatic.
Church of St. Jacob
Villa Angiolina (1844)
Opatija park
Lungomare
Grand Hotel Kvarner (1884) - the first modern hotel on
the Croatian Adriatic coast
Villa Amalia (1890)
Art pavilion
"Juraj Šporer"
Fontana - Helios and Selena - the work of sculptor
Hans Rathautsky (1889)
The Girl with the Seagull - the work of
sculptor Zvonko Car, set by the sea in 1956.
Madonna (1891)
Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hotel
Imperial (1885)
Summer stage
American Gardens Opatija
In Opatija, the first eight stars were placed on the Slatina
promenade. Opatija accepted the idea, which Zagreb rejected, to make
famous stars on the famous Slatina promenade, which was opposed by
many citizens of Opatija, considering it a bad copy that does not
show Opatija's specificity on which to build tourism. Dr. Amir
Muzur, the mayor of Opatija, accepted and signed a contract in which
he supports the creation of these stars. One local singer gave away
his star for his 34th birthday. His name is Drazen Turina Shajeta.
On March 18, celebrity stars were discovered. This discovery awaited
many people with great curiosity. One of them was the poet Dragutin
Tadijanović, who also had his own star.
The stars were
awarded to: Ivo Robić, Janica Kostelić, Dražen Petrović, Krešimir
Ćosić, Oliver Dragojević, Miroslav Krleža, Dragutin Tadijanović,
Miroslav Radman and Nikola Tesla. , scientific, artistic and other
work.
The project has experienced numerous criticisms and
controversies, and so far has not fulfilled the basic clauses
written in the contract.
Ancient and Early History
The area was inhabited by the
Liburni, a pre-Roman Illyrian tribe known for seafaring and
shipbuilding (from around the 9th century BC). In Roman times, the
region featured patrician villas linked to the nearby settlement of
Castrum Laureana (modern Lovran). Croats settled the region around
700 AD. In 789, it came under Frankish control when Pepin of Italy
(son of Charlemagne) conquered the area, incorporating it into the
March of Friuli by 803. It later bordered the medieval Kingdom of
Croatia (established ~925 under Tomislav). From the 11th century,
imperial estates were held by the Patriarchs of Aquileia, and the
territory fell under the House of Habsburg after western Istria went
to Venice (by 1420). The area became part of the Austrian Littoral.
Medieval Origins and Name
Opatija developed as a small hamlet
and fishing village around a Benedictine abbey dedicated to Saint
James (St. Jacob), first mentioned in written records in 1453 (some
traditions date the abbey to the 12th century). The name "Opatija"
derives from the Croatian word for "abbey" (from Italian abbazia).
The church and monastery were built possibly over an earlier shrine.
Saint James is the town's patron saint, with his feast day (July 25)
celebrated as City Day. The settlement belonged to feudal holdings
like Veprinac and Kastav.
19th Century: Birth of Tourism and
the Austrian Riviera
Until the mid-19th century, Opatija remained
a modest village of about 35 houses. The modern era and tourism boom
began in 1844, when wealthy Rijeka merchant Iginio Scarpa built
Villa Angiolina (named after his late wife) in a botanical park with
exotic plants. This villa hosted prominent guests, including Ban
Josip Jelačić and later Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Maria
Anna. 1844 is officially considered the start of organized tourism
in Croatia (and the town).
The Austrian Southern Railway opened a
line from Pivka to Rijeka via Matulji in 1873, making the area
accessible from Vienna in under a day and sparking rapid growth. In
1882, the railway company acquired Villa Angiolina and used it for
Crown Prince Rudolf and Princess Stéphanie. Managing director
Friedrich Julius Schüler drove development by building the first
luxury hotels on the eastern Adriatic: Grand Hotel Kvarner (1884,
originally Quarnero, designed by Franz Wilhelm) and Hotel
Kronprinzessin Stephanie (1885, later Hotel Imperial). He also
created the iconic lungomare (seaside promenade) and parks, with
landscape architect Carl Schubert involved.
In 1889, the
Cisleithanian (Austrian) government officially declared Opatija the
first climatic seaside health resort (Seebad) on the Austrian
Riviera. It quickly became a rival to places like Portorož, Grado,
and Brioni, and the second-largest spa town in Austria-Hungary after
Karlovy Vary. Elegant villas (starting with Villa Amalia in 1890), a
tram line (1908 to Lovran), electric lighting (1896), and
infrastructure followed. The town attracted European royalty and
elites: Emperor Franz Joseph I (frequent winter visitor), Empress
Elisabeth ("Sisi"), German Emperor Wilhelm II (met Franz Joseph in
1894), kings of Romania, Greece, Saxony, Luxembourg, and
Montenegro's Prince Nikola, plus figures like Gustav Mahler, Anton
Chekhov, Isadora Duncan, and later James Joyce.
By 1913, Opatija
had dozens of hotels, villas, boarding houses, and surpassed many
competitors in visitor numbers. It hosted a famous 1912
international chess tournament (King's Gambit) and was dubbed the
"Vienna of the Adriatic."
20th Century Transitions
World
War I converted some hotels (e.g., Hotel Icicii) into military
hospitals. After 1918/1920, Opatija (as Abbazia) was ceded to Italy
under the Treaty of Rapallo. Many buildings were adapted (e.g.,
Villa Amalia became a Savoy summer residence in 1930). After World
War II, the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty awarded it to Yugoslavia; most
Italian-speaking residents emigrated. In the socialist era, it
became a popular destination for Yugoslav elites, Soviet visitors,
and northern Europeans. Key developments included the innovative
Hotel Adriatic (1963, by architect Andrija Čičin-Šain, with modern
room designs), the opening of Casino Rosalia (first casino in
Eastern Europe), and Hotel Admiral with marina (1981). Motorbike
Grand Prix races were held on the nearby Preluk circuit until 1977.
Modern Era (1991–Present)
After Croatia's independence in
1991, Opatija retained its high-end tourism focus. It preserves its
Habsburg-era architecture, parks, and promenade, while adding modern
wellness, cultural events (e.g., Festival Opatija, carnivals), and
facilities. The Croatian Museum of Tourism is based in Villa
Angiolina and related pavilions. The town remains a luxury resort
destination, often compared to Cannes or Nice, with a blend of
historic charm and Adriatic appeal.
Location and Overview
Opatija is a coastal town and municipality
situated in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in western Croatia, positioned
at approximately 45°20′N 14°18′E on the eastern side of the Istrian
peninsula. Although geographically part of Istria, it falls outside of
Istria County and serves as a prominent seaside resort on the Kvarner
Gulf, a large bay within the northern Adriatic Sea. The town lies at the
head of the Kvarner Gulf, about 18 km (11 mi) northwest of the regional
capital Rijeka, roughly 90 km (56 mi) southwest of Trieste in Italy by
rail, and 82 km (51 mi) north of Pula by road. This strategic location
has historically made it a key tourist destination, blending
accessibility with natural shelter. The municipality spans a total area
of 67.2 km² (25.9 sq mi), with the urban core covering about 3.5 km²
(1.4 sq mi), and its population hovers around 11,000 to 12,000
residents, swelling significantly during peak tourist seasons.
Topography and Landscape
Opatija is nestled in a sheltered position
directly at the foot of the Učka massif, a prominent mountain range that
forms a dramatic backdrop to the town. The massif's highest point, Vojak
peak, reaches an elevation of 1,401 m (4,596 ft), providing a stark
contrast to Opatija's sea-level base at 0 m (0 ft). The town itself is
built upon a hillside that ascends sharply from the coastline, creating
a terraced urban landscape where buildings, including historic villas
and hotels, climb the slopes for panoramic views of the gulf. This hilly
terrain can make navigation on foot challenging, as paths and roads wind
uphill from the shore, but it also contributes to the area's scenic
appeal. To the north and east, the landscape transitions into the
rolling hills and distant mountains of the Dinaric Alps, while the
immediate surroundings include idyllic countryside with villages, farms,
and forested areas.
Coastline and Sea
The coastline of Opatija
is predominantly rocky, extending both north and south of the town along
the Adriatic Sea. Indented with numerous coves, pebble beaches, and
cliffs, the approximately 250 km of nearby Kvarner Bay coast offers a
mix of rugged and accessible shorelines. The town's seafront is
characterized by clear turquoise waters, small harbors for yachts and
boats, and man-made swimming areas, as the natural beaches are limited
due to the rocky terrain. A defining feature is the 12 km-long coastal
promenade known as the Lungomare or "Footpath of Franz Joseph," which
stretches from Volosko through Opatija to Lovran, offering stunning
views of the Kvarner Bay and the Učka mountains in the background. This
pathway hugs the edge of the rocky shore, passing through gardens and
historic sites, and is a hallmark of the Opatija Riviera. The Adriatic
here is influenced by powerful northern winds, known as the bora, which
can reach gusts of up to 150 mph (240 km/h), creating wind tunnels
through the nearby mountains and affecting local navigation and
aviation.
Climate
Opatija enjoys a Mediterranean climate,
marked by long, warm summers and mild winters, making it an attractive
year-round destination. Summers are short and warm, with average high
temperatures reaching 32 °C (90 °F), while winters are longer, very
cold, and wet, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F). The overall annual
average temperature is about 11.0 °C (51.8 °F), and the area receives
substantial rainfall, totaling approximately 1,994 mm (78.5 inches) per
year, which contributes to its lush vegetation. The climate is partly
cloudy throughout the year, with the wettest periods aligning with the
cooler months. This mild, subtropical influence, sheltered by the Učka
mountains, protects the town from harsher continental weather, fostering
a resort-like atmosphere even in winter.
Vegetation and Natural
Features
The geography of Opatija is enriched by diverse vegetation,
including dense woods of bay laurel that surround the town, along with
colorful gardens featuring cypress, pine, oak, and palm trees. These
elements give the area a picturesque, almost subtropical feel, often
likened to the "Croatian Cannes" or "Pearl of the Northern Adriatic."
The proximity to the Učka Nature Park, which encompasses the massif,
adds opportunities for hiking and exploring karst landscapes, caves, and
biodiversity hotspots. The combination of mountainous terrain, forested
hills, and coastal elements creates a microclimate that supports a
variety of flora, from Mediterranean evergreens to alpine species higher
up the slopes.
Surrounding Areas
Beyond the town, the Opatija
Riviera extends along the Kvarner Gulf, incorporating nearby settlements
like Volosko to the north and Lovran to the south, connected by the
scenic promenade. The broader region includes the indented coastline of
the Istrian peninsula, with its mix of beaches, cliffs, and islands in
the gulf. To the inland side, the Učka massif offers trails leading to
panoramic viewpoints, while the gulf itself is dotted with islands such
as Krk and Cres, accessible by ferry from nearby Rijeka. This interplay
of sea, mountains, and forests makes Opatija a gateway to exploring the
natural diversity of northern Croatia's Adriatic coast.