Opatija's Geographic Location
The renowned Croatian resort of Opatija graces the northeastern tip of the Istria peninsula, nestled along the shores of Kvarner Bay in the Adriatic Sea. The city itself is home to approximately 7.8 thousand residents, while the wider municipality of Opatija, centered around the city, boasts a population of about 12 thousand people. The official currency in this region is the Croatian kuna (HRK).
Notably, the Croatian city of Rijeka is in close proximity to Opatija. The resort is situated 82 km from Pula and 90 km from the Italian city of Trieste.
A Glimpse into Opatija's History
The resort gets its name from the word "abbey," originating from the Benedictine monks' abbey of San Giacomo della Luca, later transformed into a villa. In Italian, the town was often referred to as Abbazia.
Opatija's journey as a resort began in 1844. In 1889, following Emperor Franz Joseph's decree in Austria-Hungary, Opatija became the Empire's sole official resort. The inaugural Kvarner Hotel was constructed in 1884. Throughout its brief history, Opatija has drawn European aristocrats and bohemians. Figures like Wilhelm II, Franz Joseph I, Gustav Mahler, Anton Chekhov, and Isadora Duncan chose Opatija for their vacations. Today, the resort ranks among the finest in not just Croatia but all of Europe.
