Opatija Riviera - the cradle of Croatian tourism

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The roots of Croatia tourism are in Villa Angiolina

In Croatia, tourism plays an important role and Opatija is the place where the story of Croatian tourism begun. It all started back in 1844 when Ignacio Scarpa, a wealthy merchant tired of living in the neighboring, noisy and hectic harbor town of Rijeka, was searching for a place where he could escape for a while and have a rest from his everyday life. He found such a place some fifteen kilometers away in a peaceful grove close to the church of St. James in Opatija. There he erected a summer residence and called it after his late wife Angiolina.

Opatija - A trendy destination

Villa Angiolina, a real Biedermayer beauty, soon became an important part of social life. In 1873 the railroad connected Opatija with Ljubljana and beyond, and in 1889 the town was established as a health resort. First hotels such as Kvarner (the first hotel in the Adriatic), Imperial and Palace-Bellevue were built to accommodate the fancy new tourists.

Famous guests arrive to Opatija

Hotel Excelsior history It is impossible to list all the names of the famous guests. However, we must not omit Friedrich Schüller, the General Director of the Southern Railroad from Vienna and the initiator of the tourist development of the city, and Dr. Julius Glax and Theodor Billroth who deserve thanks for assisting in the development of health tourism. Others included numerous members of European high society such as Croatian governor Josip Jelačić, the archduke Ferdinand, empress Maria Anna, Austrian heirs Stephanie and Rudolph, Austrian emperor Franz Joseph, German emperor Wilhelm, Swedish-Norwegian King Oscar II, Romanian royal couple Karol and Elizabeta, composers Gustav Mahler and Giovanni Puccini, author James Joyce, Nobel prize winner Henryk Sienkiewicz, Russian novelist Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, and popular dancer Isadora Duncan who found inspiration for her dance moves from Opatija’s palm trees.

These are only some of the names which visited Opatija and together with them came the new age in history of Croatian tourism. From the mid-1880s to the start of World War I, Opatija was the place to be seen at. Today, after two subsequent wars, Opatija is still popular with European tourists who flock to the resort all year long.

Visit Opatija and go on a date with history

Numerous monuments have enriched the town’s culture. The tales of romantic anguish, intrigue, scheming, political games and artists seeking inspiration hide in every corner of the Opatija Riviera, and now you also have an opportunity to become a part of these tales. Book a room in one of the many historic hotels in Opatija and go on a date with history.