Rijeka Landmarks and Monuments

(Rijeka, Primorje Gorski Kotar, Kvarner, Croatia)



Rijeka's main landmarks, apart from the City Clock Tower (Gradski Toranj) and other high points, are its spectacular and massive buildings, the most important of which are described below. However, many grand structures suffered greatly at the hands of the 1750 earthquake, being either badly damaged or lost forever.

Following this devastating earthquake, much of Rijeka was completely rebuilt in a classical Austrian Habsburg style and this character is still very much present today. The Korzo promenade is central to city life and has been constructed over the old city walls, giving you a glimpse of the former boundary.

Remnants and landmarks of the city's ancient past survive in a small section of the original city walls and gateway, and Rijeka's beautiful theatre stands as a monument to the cultural life of the area. The scenic setting of Rijeka on its secluded bay set its future as a port city, and the massive modern harbour is witness to its success over the centuries.


Cathedral of St. Vitus (Katedrala Svetog Vida)

Address: Trg Grivica 11, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
Located on the northern side of the Roman Gate, this 17th-century Baroque gem, designed by a Jesuit architect to a circular floor plan, took some 100 years to build, being founded in 1638. The spectacular 'rotunda' interior of St. Vitus Cathedral comes with Baroque altars, Gothic elements and a famous 13th-century crucifix believed to be miraculous. According to legend, a townsman once threw a rock at the cross, causing the image of Jesus to bleed. However, many modern townspeople aren't quite convinced about this colourful story.
Open hours: June to August, Monday to Saturday - 07:00 to 12:00, 16:30 to 19:00, Sunday - 07:00 to 12:00; September to May, daily - 06:30 to 12:00
Admission: free, donations welcomed

City Clock Tower (Gradski Toranj)

Address: Korzo, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
Standing close to the Trg Ivana Koblera, the city's imposing Clock Tower denotes the main landside entrance to Rijeka, placed where the ancient walls and the Old Town's Upper Gate once stood, facing the road leading to the town square. This 17th-century tower bears the Habsburg Eagle in homage to the then feudal lords of the city, as well as a number of busts depicting past emperors. The present clock was installed in the 1870s and is still running today.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Croatian National Theatre Ivan Zajc (Hrvatski Narodni Kazaliste Ivan Zajc)

Address: Uljarska 1, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 051 355 900
This magnificent theatre, set back from its square in landscaped grounds, is a monument to the highly valued cultural life of the city and was opened in 1885. The classical exterior and dome of the Croatian National Theatre Ivan Zajc conceal a luxuriously ornamented interior in High-Baroque style, with a ceiling covered in frescos and a gleaming gilded 'gesso proscenium' arch and boxes. Often compared to the theatres in Budapest and Zagreb, Croatia's National Theatre boasts a revolving stage, accompanied by ultra-modern technological equipment.
Open hours: hours vary according to performance times and dates, box office open Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 12:30
Admission: charge

Town Wall and Old Gate / Roman Gate (Stara Vrata)

Address: Trg Grivica, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
The ancient section of the original fortress wall and the old stone gate can be found within the narrow streets behind St. Sebastian's Church, being all that remains of the once impressive original fortifications. The gate has attracted the attention of historians since the 1700s and is now considered to be the gate to the Tarsatika fortress. Known as the oldest architectural monument in Rijeka, the Old Gate was referred to wrongly in ancient written records as the Roman gate. An area near the gate has been excavated, allowing visitors to get a feel for the giant landmark that once stood here.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Rijeka Port

Address: Rijeka, Croatia, HR
Set in a perfect protected inlet, Rijeka has always been a port city due to its well-placed coastal situation. Expansion of the harbour's facilities during WWI resulted in its development into one of the most important ports on the Adriatic. These days, the city's annual cargo throughput exceeds 13 million tonnes and this figure is increasing. The port may not be a romantic view as in 'small fishing harbour', but the sight of the massive cargo vessels, ferries and other ships is impressive and can provide an interesting interlude whilst sightseeing.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Tower of Trsat (Trsat Toranj / Kastel od Trsat)

Address: Trsat, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
This city landmark was built on the foundations of a Roman observation post high on a hill overlooking the bay and the surrounding countryside. After the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation forces from the region, the importance of the Tower of Trsat as an actual watchtower quickly diminished, as did its condition, not helped by the infamous 1750 earthquake. Fully restored now, the Trsat Tower gives magnificent views over the coastline, which on a fine day stretch for many miles.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Municipal Palace and Flag Column (Palaca Municipija / Gradski Dvorac i Zastava Stup)

Address: Trg Rijecke Rezolucije, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
The three massive frontages of the 19th-century Municipal Palace dominate its small square, in which is set the 16th-century Stendardac, the stone pillar from which the city's flag is flown on national holidays. Basically, the Municipal Palace's architecture is Renaissance in form, blending strangely with the other Baroque and classically inspired buildings nearby. The Trg Rijecke Rezolucije square itself is widely known for its history of political protests.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Governor's Palace (Guverner Dvorac / Guvernerova Palaca)

Address: Muzejski Trg 1, Rijeka, Croatia, HR
This grand and imposing neo-Renaissance mansion was formerly the residence of the Hungarian provincial governor. The grandeur of the Governor's Palace is reminiscent of the great buildings created during the Austro-Hungarian Imperial era. The interior is the main attraction and well worth the trip. Also onsite at the palace is the small Maritime and Historical Museum of Coastal Croatia, which certainly adds to the overall appeal.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge