OPATIJA, often called the Nice of the
Adriatic, is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and a
place with the longest tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the
Adriatic. In 1844 the powerful merchant Higinio von Scarpa erected Villa
Angiolina, with beautiful green and a lavish park around it, visited by
distinguished guests - the Croatian Viceroy Josip Jelacic, the Austrian
empress Maria Anna - which soon made Opatija a popular excursion
destination of the inhabitants from Rijeka, then of the Italians and
Austrians. Already in 1889 Opatija was declared the first climatic
seaside resort on the Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the
most fashionable tourist resort. Numerous tourists and owners of the
villas contributed by planting exotic plants to the horticultural
grandeur. Opatija was so attractive that, at the end of the 19th and
beginning of the 20th centuries, it was visited by the then most
prominent personalities of the noble rank - Princess Luise von Sachsen
Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar,
etc. Tourist development is Opatija's main feature even today.
Favourable climate, well-maintained landscape, maintained beaches and
lively entertainment throughout the year make this place one of the most
elite summer resorts in Croatia today. Very many events in Opatija
have a long tradition and offer a high-level entertainment: carnival (January/February),
International Yachting Regatta (in May), the Opatija Yachting Cup (in
November).
OPATIJA, a town, harbour, tourist, summer and climatic resort on the
foot of Mt. Ucka, situated at the eastern coast of Istria in the Rijeka
Bay, 13 km southwest of Rijeka. The coastal region formed of limestone,
in which Opatija lies, is protected from the north and northwest by Ucka.
Climatic conditions are favourable, with relatively mild winters; the
mean air temperature in January attains 4.7 °C, and in July 23.3 °C;
2,230 hours of sunshine a year. The whole narrow coastal strip is
covered with evergreen vegetation; there are no loose soils or water
springs. Ucka holds the moist air and clouds driven by the westerly
winds, so that Opatija has lower rainfall and more hours of sunshine
than Rijeka. The climate and the specific historic and geographic
features favoured Opatija's rapid development. The climatic advantages
of Opatija were famous already in the first half of the 19th century.
Chief occupation is tourism. The harbour consists of a pier and a
protected basin. The inner part of it is protected from all winds except
from those blowing from the first quadrant; the bora is moderate,
blowing from the east; the sirocco and the easterly winds are rather
strong and heave the sea. The outer part of the port is designed for
larger vessels, and smaller vessels can land at the inner part. The
anchoring ground lies 500 m off the coast, but is far from being safe
during strong easterly and south-easterly winds. The harbour comprises a
marina. Situated on the road (M2, E751) Rijeka - Pula. |
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