Sights
For more than 160 years, the amazing nature, mild Mediterranean climate, unique combination of the sea and mountain air, parks, hotels and Austro-Hungarian villas, promenades and sand and stone beaches have been the key features of Opatija.
Park Angiolina
The central Opatija park is also a horticultural monument featuring 150 different plant species. Many plants were brought from the Far East, South America, Australia and other parts of the world and are not typical for this climate; the best example being the Japanese camellia (Camellia Japonica) which became one of the symbols of Opatija.
Villa Angiolina
The tourism history of Opatija began in 1844 when the patrician and merchant Iginio Scarpa from Rijeka built the Villa Angiolina, naming it after his late wife. Many distinguished historical figures sojourned here, among them the Croatian Count Josip Jelačić and the Empress Maria Anna, wife of Emperor Ferdinand I. The villa was reconstructed and restored in 2001, and today serves as venue for numerous events. Since 2007 it houses the Croatian Museum of Tourism.
Maiden with a Seagull
This unique symbol of Opatija, work of sculptor Zvonko Car, was installed by the sea in 1956. Like a mermaid, it thrills the many people strolling along the Lungo Mare seafront, and is the most photographed monument immortalised by cameras of numerous tourists.
Church of St. Jacob
The oldest building in Opatija, according to historical records, first time mentioned in 1439, built on the foundations of the Benedictine monastery, an abbey, after which the town itself was named. It is also unique because it houses the replica of the relief "Pieta" by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović.
Lungo Mare
The famous seafront is one of the numerous beauties of the Opatija Riviera; 12 kilometres long, it connects Volosko, Opatija, Ičići, Ika and Lovran.
Fountain - Helios and Selena
This beautiful fountain is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Church of St. Jacob. It was made by sculptor Hans Rathautskya in 1889.
The Friedrich Julius Schüler Monument
Friedrich Julius Schüler was the CEO of the Southern Railway Company and is considered to be the precursor of the development of Opatija into a modern tourist destination. He purchased the Villa Angiolina, built the Kvarner Hotel and its annexes, as well as other hotels and resorts.
The Church of the Annunciation
This Neo-Romanesque edifice constructed in 1906 features an impressive green dome and is flanked by a monastery.
Summer Theatre
The spectacular open-air theatre with a huge auditorium at the Lido was inaugurated in 1931 with a splendid performance of Verdi's Aida. Today it is a venue for numerous concerts by foreign and national musicians, plays, operas and musicals.
Opatija