THE PAST

The town of an uncommon, rather entangled past, past which could be compared with the olive tree, evelasting, bended, fruit bitter to taste but of good quality.


PREHISTORIC

Traces of prehistoric settlements can be found in the region.
Long time ago Celtic tribe lived here, therefore name Trsat may come from Celtic word "tarsa", meaning hill above the river. Settlements of Illyrian tribe "Liburni" sailors, pirats and shipbuilders. In the ancient time town's name is Tarsattica, Roman municipality (the fortress); traces of that period almost disappeared.

VII century

Croats in war against the Frances, count, Erich, Charles the Great favourite dies on the Trsat hill, year 799. For the longer period of time there are no informations.

St. Vito's Reka (Rijeka)

XIIIth century - new settlement called Reka (Rijeka) sv. Vida (St. Vito on river Rjecina; St. Veit am Pflaum), twon with its entrances, towers, streets, squares.

Change rulers; Devin dynasty, Frankopans-Princes of Krk, Counts of Walsea.

XIIIth/XIVth century under the rule of Devin dynasty GOTHIC RIJEKA is built.

Yapod fort and later on Roman observation post situated on the left river bank becomes very important during the time of the Frankopans.

The Habsburgs

Since 1466 till 1918 Rijeka is under Habsburg rule.

XVIIth century; town flourishes economically and artistically. In 1627 Jesuitical Gymnasium, third in Croatia but first in Adriatic is bu ilt (still working). Baroque buildings are built.

XVIIIth century; Emperor Charles VI proclaimed Rijeka a free port in 1719. Industry, shipping and handicraft develops. First road built connecting Rijeka and Vienna in 1725 (Carolina).

New Babylon

XIXth century - Rijeka is eight biggest port in Europe. 2400 workers are employed in the biggest tobacco factory in the Empire where first steam machine in south-east Europe is installed. More than 20 big birms and shipyards are registered. Croatian, Italian, German, Hungarian, Slovenian, French, English and even Swedish and Flamish languages are spoken. The only Navy Academy in the Empire is founded (today the main hospital situated in the very building). Museum Nugent in Trsat castle is opened (first in Croatia). The Academic Theatre (later demolished) with 1600 seats opened.

Two women hold special place in the XIXth century in Rijeka:

Karolina Rijecka (Carolina Rijeka) saved the town during the Napoleon wars using her charms while negotiating with English admiral.
Ida de Kiss, Governor's wife, by keeping company with the European elite (e.g. Franz Liszt) brought Viennese touch to Rijeka.

Hungarian period 1870

Hungarian government takes over the administration in Rijeka. From 1872 to 1896 the mayor of Rijeka Giovanni Ciotta turns Rijeka into genuine European centre. Since 1873 Rijeka is trough railway connected via Ljubljana and Zagreb with Vienna and Budapest and next year with Triest. First rafinery in this part of the world is built, many steamship companies and banks are founded (Riječka banka in 1871), population is doubled, electric tram connects all parts of the city, 22 Consulate General are assigned, 20 hotels and 9 cinemas.

Well known architects from Triest, Vienna, Leipzig and Budapest together with local skilled workmen built palaces all over Rijeka. The biggest in residential part for Emperor Frank Joseph's I brother Joseph.

Between two World Wars

In 1924 Rijeka is annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, while Sušak to the Kingdom of SHS.

Rijeka is intesively Talianized and economically decays becoming a provincial town. Town architecture of that time is enriched with two sky-scrapers, those of Rijeka and SuŠak.

End of World War II opens the "Rijeka question" once again - 1947 once and for all Rijeka returned to Croatia. After the World War II Rijeka becomes transit, tourist, administrative, economical, industrial, cultural and university center.
Since 1970 Rijeka is connected by air; "Airport Rijeka" on the island Krk (25 km from Rijeka).

Reconstruction of the old city quarters begins in 1960 by the original concept of local architect Igor Emili.

Trsat castle becomes a center of cultural events after renovation in the 1960.

Rijeka became university center in 1975 with its headquarters in the old municipal building in Sušak.

After the unusual and entangled past on the edge of XXIst century - Rijeka is finally where it belongs - in the Republic of Croatia.