Opatija Things to Do

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This church was built in 1506, and is on a site of a former church from the 7th century. Sometime estimated around 12th century, a Benedictine abbey was built here, and the town name means "abbey". The church is said to be built on the abbey location. St. Jacob is a patron saint of many cultures, and a celebration for him is on July 25th. Some of the church expansion is form 16th century, and a renovation was completed in 1937

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In 1844, Iginijo Scarpa came from Austria to build a monument to his deceased wife, aptly named Angiolina. Iginijo must have enjoyed it more since he was the one still living. He invited business associates and governmental people to come and stay there That led to a surge of resort pleasures for those high style people. They liked the mild climate and placid Hvarner BAy. Eventually they also built their own places here, enhanced by a railroad coming to the area with a station about 3 miles away in Matulji in the hills north. The villa was sold and to another person, and then Southern Railway Company of Vienna bought it in 1882. There have been upgrades and renovations, with the last major one in 2000, and again now in process of some interior improvements.
The villa is now a museum of Croatian Tourism-but I suspect you usually only get to see the entry foyer, but that is nice. It has intricate mosaics, painted ceilings, and Corinthian columns. The rest of the villa was closed. In talking to the attendant in Croatian and english, the country ran out of money to renovate, and do not know when the villa inside will be open again. If open, admission is said to be free, and opens Tuesday-Sunday 10-6PM daily

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There are so many intricate and detail art in the building styles, all in one place, almost a fairytale land if you like architecture, and statuary and elaborate decorations. After a surge of building hotels to attract many of the elite and wealthy to here, they also started to build their own palaces. This wave of building took place mostly 1880's to early 1900's.

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This was constructed in 10 months in 1884 by the Southern Railway Company of Vienna. They previously bought Villa Angiolina in 1882, and wanted to provide a place for tourists to stay and make some money at it. However, I read that the original intent was to make this a sanatorium retreat-popular in those days. The Chrystal Room that has a lot of those was built in 1913. Many people go there for a coffee and to be seen. The rail line came to Mul

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The park was designed around 1845 and it took until 1860 to complete. They imported 159 unique plants species from around the world; none were indigenous to this climate, but adapted well. Most came form warm weather climates, and Ingicio Scarpa liked garden splendor. It covers 3.64 hectares. There were 60 separate sections in the gardens to stroll around. Now it is separated between some of the park by the villa, and the rest in front of Church St. Jacob. The garden went into decline, but in 2000 it was revived somewhat, even though the number of special plants may not exist any longer. It still looks like it needs a good clean up and cutback of overgrowth. Palm trees, and other trees provide a cover over many previous plats.

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Lungomare is a promenade built in phases in the Austro-Hungarian times; from 1889 to 1911. It stretches from Lovran to Volosko (or vice-versa).

Strolling along the Lungomare is a nice way to enjoy the sea; nature (rocks and trees) and to see some nice villas.

On the promontory in front of the one-time cemetery a girl of stone extend her arm to a gull. This, however, is a new sculpture, the work of sculptor Car, and it was erected here in 1956 and turned into one of Opatija’s symbols. Before that, in its place, namely until demolished by a storm, stood the “Madonna del Mare,” the work of sculptor Rathausky from Graz (his also is the fountain “Helios and Selene” in the park between St. Jacob’s Church and hotel Imperial). The “Madonna” was erected to keep vigil over the soul of count Arthur Kesselstadt, who vanished, not far off from that promontory swallowed by the pre-Easter waves in 1891. During that excursion the countess Fries also lost her life, but her son Georg was saved. Today a gilded variant of the Madonna can be seen in front of Saint Jacob’s Church.

Icici, a tourist town in the Kvarner Bay at the foot of the Ucka mountain, is situated between Lovran and Opatija, which is proud of its 150 years long tourist tradition. Icici is an easily accessible destination which attracts visitors with its climate and landscape; entertainment attractions and quality accommodation qualifies Icici as one of those places you will want to return to.