Presentation of the town
Rijeka is the administrative and cultural centre of the Primorje-Gorski kotar County and the third largest city in Croatia with regard to the number of inhabitants (approximately 200.000). The city is located in western Croatia, 131 kilometres (81 miles) southwest of the capital, Zagreb, and lies on the course of Rječina River and nearby numerous streams. Like numerous cities in the world, Rijeka carries the symbol of water in its name.
Being situated on a mild slope, with a narrow shore zone, abundant sources of fresh water and a sheltered bay with natural characteristics of a port, this city had all the predispositions to develop into an important port and commercial city.
Even though the city’s economy largely depends on shipbuilding and maritime transport, Rijeka has recently acquired benefits as a tourist centre, thus escaping from its former image of a port and industrial city, by enhancing its dynamic present, new perspectives and joy of life. It pulsates with a dynamic rhythm of everyday life, which you can feel in the best way in the very centre of the city, on the always vibrant central promenade, Korzo.
Rijeka’s calendar of events is overflowing throughout the year so regardless of the season, guests will find interesting and attractive music, drama, art performances and special events. An unmissable event is the Rijeka Carnival, which each year attracts more and more participants and visitors from all over the world.
The International Carnival Parade, which has been taking place in Rijeka since 1982 in its restored form, has origins in ancient history. The first written record is a document from 1449 which forbids the covering of the face with a mask in order to prevent criticism of the government and to maintain peace and order.
The Sunday Times has listed the International Carnival Parade at the very top of the most attractive events in the world. During that season, known as the fifth season of the year, Rijeka becomes the carnival centre of this part of the world, and the luxurious processions and allegorical wagons may be the most severe, but also the most honest criticism of social reality.
Focus CLIC Project
The project “KRPAnje grada” is the urban and architectural project of the Society of Architects of Rijeka (DAR) and the Department for Culture of the City of Rijeka. It is conceived as a four-year cycle that takes place through professional international workshops, lectures, preparation of preliminary projects and their presentations/publications. Its aim is to examine the urban localities, ie, urban gaps (eg. the old industrial complexes which are out of use) and explore their potential as functional units which can contribute to the quality of city life. As a matter of fact, the city of Rijeka fully recognizes its cultural potential: the “Strategy of cultural development of the city of Rijeka 2013-2020” foresees ambitious and comprehensive measures for the improvement of the situation by recognizing the importance of the preservation of its urban ensemble and the need of comprehensive urban cultural policy of the city, that relies on efficient and sustainable exploitation of existing resources and development of long-term rather than ad hoc strategies.
