Rijeka
Rijeka sits on the narrow strip of land where the Dinaric Alps meet the Adriatic Sea. The city lies at the mouth of the river Rječina, which means "the big river" in Latin. This specific geographic position makes it the natural harbor for the Pannonian Basin. A single route runs northeast from Rijeka through the narrowest point of the mountains, only about 10 kilometers wide. This corridor allows easy passage from the Hungarian plain to the sea. Another route crosses the Postojna Gate toward Slovenia and Austria. A third path connects the city eastward with Trieste and northern Italy. Geographically, Rijeka is roughly equidistant from Milan, Budapest, Munich, Vienna, and Belgrade. Other major regional centers such as Trieste, Venice, and Ljubljana are all relatively close and easily accessible. The Bay of Rijeka is deep enough to accommodate large commercial ships. It is bordered by Vela Vrata between Istria and the island of Cres, Srednja Vrata between Cres and Krk Island, and Mala Vrata between Krk and the mainland. From three sides, Rijeka is surrounded by mountains. To the west, the Učka range is prominent. To the north-northeast are the Snežnik plateau and the Risnjak massif with its national park. To the east-southeast is the Velika Kapela range. This terrain configuration prevented Rijeka from developing further inland. The city mostly lies on a long and relatively narrow strip along the coast.
The earliest modern settlements on the site were Celtic Tharsatica on the hill and the tribe of mariners, the Liburni, in the natural harbor below. Pliny the Elder first mentioned Rijeka as Tarsatica in his Natural History in the 1st century AD. Around AD 150, the Greek geographer Ptolemy described it again when writing about Illyria or Liburnia. In the time of Augustus, Romans rebuilt Tarsatica as a municipium Flumen situated on the right bank of the small river Rječina. It became a city within the Roman Province of Dalmatia until the 6th century. Remains of these walls are still visible in some places today. After the 4th century, Rijeka was rededicated to Saint Vitus, the city's patron saint. From the 5th century onwards, the town was ruled successively by the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines, the Lombards, and the Avars. The city was burned down in 452 by the troops of Attila the Hun during their Aquileia campaign. Croats settled the city starting in the 7th century. At that time, Rijeka was a feudal stronghold surrounded by a wall. At the center of the city, its highest point, was a fortress. In 799, Rijeka was attacked by Frankish troops under Charlemagne. Their Siege of Trsat was at first repulsed, during which the Frankish commander Duke Eric of Friuli was killed. However, the Frankish forces finally occupied and devastated the castle. From about 925, the town was part of the Kingdom of Croatia. From 1102, it existed in personal union with Hungary. Trsat Castle and the town were rebuilt under the rule of the House of Frankopan. In 1288, Rijeka citizens signed the Law codex of Vinodol, one of the oldest codes of law in Europe.
Emperor Charles VI declared the Port of Rijeka a free port together with the Port of Trieste in 1719. He had the trade route to Vienna expanded in 1725. On the 28th of November 1750, Rijeka was hit by a large earthquake. The devastation was so widespread that the city had to be almost completely rebuilt. In 1753, Austrian Empress Maria Theresa approved funding for rebuilding Rijeka as a new city. By order of Maria Theresa in 1779, the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Hungary and governed as corpus separatum directly from Budapest. During the Napoleonic Wars, Rijeka was briefly captured by the French Empire between 1809 and 1813. The critically important Louisiana road was completed during this period. It gave a strong impulse to the development of Rijeka's port. In 1813, the French rule came to an end when Rijeka was first bombarded by the Royal Navy and later re-captured by Austrians under Irish general Laval Nugent von Westmeath. A young lady named Karolina Belinić went to the English fleet commander amid the chaos and convinced him that further bombardment was unnecessary. She became a folk hero known today as Karolina Riječka. In the early 19th century, Andrija Ljudevit Adamić emerged as the most prominent economic and cultural leader of the city. Fiume also had a significant naval base. In the mid-19th century, it became the site of the Imperial and Royal Naval Academy where Austro-Hungarian Navy trained its officer cadets. Under mayor Giovanni de Ciotta, who served from 1872 to 1896, an impressive phase of expansion began. This marked major port development fueled by international trade and connection to the Austro-Hungarian railway network in 1873. Modern industrial enterprises included the Royal Hungarian Sea Navigation Company Adria and the Ungaro-Croata shipping company established in 1891. The Smith and Meynier paper mill operated the first steam engine in south-east Europe. It produced cigarette paper sold around the world. The second half of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century were periods of great prosperity and rapid economic growth. Rijeka hosted the first industrial scale oil refinery in Europe in 1882. Robert Whitehead designed and successfully tested the world's first torpedo at the Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano in 1866. The Whitehead Torpedo Works opened in 1874. By 1913, 14, the port of Fiume became the tenth-busiest port in Europe. The population grew rapidly from only 21,000 in 1880 to 50,000 in 1910.
Habsburg-ruled Austria-Hungary disintegrated in October 1918 during the closing weeks of World War I. This led to rival Croatian-Serbian and Italian administrations in the city. Both Italy and the founders of the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes claimed sovereignty based on their ethnic populations. Negotiations over the future of the city were interrupted two days after the Treaty of Saint-Germain was signed on the 10th of September 1919. A force of Italian nationalist irregulars led by poet Gabriele D'Annunzio captured the city. D'Annunzio and his men established an independent state called the Italian Regency of Carnaro. Various international intellectuals took part including Osbert Sitwell, Arturo Toscanini, Henry Furst, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Harukichi Shimoi, Guglielmo Marconi, Alceste De Ambris, Whitney Warren, and Léon Kochnitzky. The organization aimed primarily at helping all oppressed nationalities in their struggle for political dignity. It never found necessary external support but recognized Soviet Russia as the first state in the world to do so. Liberal Giovanni Giolitti became Premier of Italy again in June 1920. On November 12, Italy and Yugoslavia concluded the Treaty of Rapallo which envisaged Fiume becoming an independent state. D'Annunzio's response invited bombardment by Italian royal forces leading to his surrender after five days resistance known as Bloody Christmas. Italian troops freed the city from D'Annunzio's militias in the last days of December 1920. In a subsequent democratic election on the 24th of April 1921, the Fiuman electorate approved the idea of a free state of Fiume-Rijeka with a Fiuman-Italo-Yugoslav consortium ownership structure for the port. Rijeka became consequently a full-fledged member of the League of Nations. The ensuing election of Rijeka's first president Riccardo Zanella was met with official recognition worldwide. A brief Italian nationalist seizure of power ended with intervention of an Italian royal commissioner. Another short-lived peace was interrupted by local Fascist putsch in March 1922. Seven months later, the Kingdom of Italy itself fell under Fascist rule. The period of diplomatic acrimony closed by bilateral Treaty of Rome signed the 27th of January 1924. With it, two neighboring countries agreed to partition territory of small state. Most old Corpus Separatum territory became part of Italy while few Croatian-Slovenian-speaking villages north of city were annexed by Yugoslavia. Annexation happened de facto on the 16th of March 1924.
At beginning of World War II, Rijeka immediately found itself in awkward position. City largest demographic was Italian followed by Croatian constituting most remainder but immediate surroundings and city Sušak just across Rječina river inhabited almost exclusively by Croatians and part of potentially hostile power Yugoslavia. Once Axis powers invaded Yugoslavia in April 1941, Croatian areas surrounding city occupied by Italian military setting stage for intense bloody insurgency lasting until end war. Partisan activity included guerrilla-style attacks on isolated positions or supply columns sabotage killings civilians believed connected to Italian later German authorities. This met stiff reprisals from Italian and German military. On the 14th of July 1942, Italian military killed 100 men from suburban village Podhum resettling remaining 800 people to concentration camps in Podhum massacre. After surrender Italy to Allies September 1943, Rijeka surrounded territories occupied annexed Germany becoming part Adriatic Littoral Zone. Partisan activity continued intensified. On the 30th of April 1944, nearby village Lipa, German troops killed 263 civilians reprisal killing several soldiers during Partisan attack in Lipa massacre. German and Italian occupiers local collaborators deported some 80 percent city roughly 500 Jews Auschwitz. Larger proportion Rijeka Jewish population murdered Holocaust than any other city Italian territory. Because industries oil refinery torpedo factory shipyards port facilities, city target more than 30 Anglo-American air attacks causing widespread destruction hundreds civilian deaths. Some heaviest bombardments happened the 12th of January 1944 attack refinery part oil campaign the 3rd of November 6, 1944 series attacks resulted at least 125 deaths the 15th of February 25, 1945 200 dead 300 wounded. Yugoslav troops entered Rijeka the 3rd of May 1945. City suffered extensive damage war. Economic infrastructure almost completely destroyed. Of 5,400 buildings city time, 2,890 53% either completely destroyed damaged. After war, city placed under Yugoslav administration as part Zone B Julian March formally ceded Yugoslavia part federal state Croatia. Once change to Yugoslav sovereignty formalized particular years leading Trieste Crisis 1954, 58,000 city 66,000 inhabitants gradually opted emigrate they became known Italian esuli exiled ones optanti Croatian Slovene. Discrimination persecution many inhabitants experienced hands Yugoslav officials last days World War II first years peace still remain painful memories locals esuli somewhat taboo topic Rijeka political milieu largely denying events. Summary executions alleged Fascists often well-known anti-fascists openly apolitical commercial classes former Italian public servants military officials ordinary civilians at least 650 executions Italians took place end war the 31st of December 1947 eventually forced most Italophones various ethnicities leave Rijeka Fiume avoid becoming victims harsher retaliation. Most notable victims political ethnic repression locals period Fiume Autonomists purge hitting autonomist figures living city now associated Liburnian Autonomist Movement. Autonomists actively helped Yugoslav partisans liberating region Fascist Nazi occupation despite receiving various promises large political autonomy city assassinated Yugoslav secret police OZNA days leading up Yugoslav army victorious march into city aftermath. In subsequent years, Yugoslav authorities joined municipalities Rijeka Sušak after 1954 less than one third original population now united municipalities mostly what previously Croat minority Fiume majority Sušak remained city because old municipality Fiume lost these years more than 85% original population.
City then resettled immigrants various parts Yugoslavia once more changing heavily city demographics linguistic composition. These years coincided also with period general reconstruction new program industrialization after destruction war. During period Yugoslav Communist administration between 1950s 1980s, city became main port Federal Republic started grow again both demographically economically taking advantage newly re-established hinterland lacking during Italian period rebuilding after war traditional manufacturing industries maritime economy port potential. This paired rich commercial history allowed city soon become second richest GDP per capita district within Yugoslavia. However many industries companies based socialist planned economic model unable survive move market-oriented economy early 1990s. As Yugoslavia broke up 1991, former Federal State Croatia became independent Croatian War Independence ensued Rijeka became part newly independent Croatia. Since then, city stagnated economically demography plunged. Some largest industries employers gone business most prominent among them Jugolinija shipping company torpedo factory paper mill many other small medium manufacturing commercial companies. Other companies struggled remain economically viable like city landmark 3 Maj shipyard. Number people working manufacturing dropped from more than 80,000 1990 only 5,000 two decades later. Privatization scandals large scale corruption marked Croatia transition socialism capitalism several years war economy played significant role collapse city economy during 1990s early 2000s. Difficult uncertain transition city economy away manufacturing towards economy based services tourism still progress. On the 27th of November 2019, waterspout intensity IF1 made landfall city Rijeka causing tree roof car damage along narrow path. In 2020, Rijeka voted European Capital Culture alongside Galway planned program including more than 600 events cultural social importance.
Rijeka Carnival held each year before Lent between late January early March in Rijeka Croatia. Established 1982, it has become biggest carnival Croatia. Every year numerous events preceding carnival itself. First mayor Rijeka gives symbolic key city Meštar Toni who maestro carnival becomes mayor city during carnival although this only figuratively. Same day, carnival queen elected. As all cities around Rijeka own events during carnival time Queen Meštar Toni attending most them. Also every year Carnival charity ball held Governor palace Rijeka attended politicians people sport media life number ambassadors. Weekend main event there two other events held. One Rally Paris Bakar after Dakar Rally start part Rijeka called Paris restaurant located end city Bakar located about southeast kilometers. All participants rally wear masks cars mostly modified old cars. Other event children carnival held like main one Rijeka main walkway Korzo. Groups participating mostly kindergartens elementary schools including groups parts Croatia neighboring countries. In 1982 three masked groups Rijeka main walkway Korzo. Recent years international carnival attracted around 15,000 participants world organized over 200 carnival groups crowds over 100,000. Linguistically apart Croatian Italian city home unique dialect Venetian language Fiuman estimated 20,000 speakers among local Italians Croats minorities. Historically Fiuman served main lingua franca many ethnicities inhabiting multi-ethnic port city. Certain suburbs modern extended municipality autochthonous native population still speaks Chakavian dialect Croatian. Rijeka has humid subtropical climate warm summers relatively mild rainy winters. Terrain configuration mountains rising steeply few kilometres inland shores Adriatic provides striking climatic landscape contrasts small geographic area. Beaches enjoyed throughout summer typically Mediterranean setting along coastal areas city east Pećine Kostrena west Kantrida Preluk. At same time ski resort Platak located only about 10 kilometers from city offers alpine skiing abundant snow during winter months times until early May. Kvarner Bay islands visible ski slopes. Unlike typical mediterranean locations Rijeka generally not see summer drought. Snow rare usually three days year almost always occurring patches. There 20 days year maximum temperature or higher while one day year temperature does not exceed . Fog appears about four days year mainly winter. Cold bora winds common wintertime. Since records began 1948 highest temperature recorded local weather station elevation 135 meters was 37.6 degrees Celsius the 19th of July 2007. Coldest temperature minus 18.6 degrees the 10th of February 1956.
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Common questions
Where is Rijeka located geographically?
Rijeka sits on the narrow strip of land where the Dinaric Alps meet the Adriatic Sea at the mouth of the river Rječina. The city lies roughly equidistant from Milan, Budapest, Munich, Vienna, and Belgrade while being bordered by mountains on three sides.
When was Rijeka first mentioned in historical records?
Pliny the Elder first mentioned Rijeka as Tarsatica in his Natural History in the 1st century AD. Around AD 150, the Greek geographer Ptolemy described it again when writing about Illyria or Liburnia.
Who declared Rijeka a free port in 1719?
Emperor Charles VI declared the Port of Rijeka a free port together with the Port of Trieste in 1719. He had the trade route to Vienna expanded in 1725 to facilitate commerce.
What happened during the Siege of Trsat in 799?
In 799, Rijeka was attacked by Frankish troops under Charlemagne during the Siege of Trsat which resulted in the death of Duke Eric of Friuli. The Frankish forces finally occupied and devastated the castle after initially repulsing the attack.
How many civilians died in the Podhum massacre on July 14 1942?
On the 14th of July 1942, Italian military killed 100 men from suburban village Podhum and resettled the remaining 800 people to concentration camps. This event is known as the Podhum massacre and occurred during World War II.