Opatija's history

The history of Opatija goes back far into the past. The current inhabitants are descendants of the Liburnians, who settled here in 900 AD. They were known as skilled seafarers and builders of fast ships which had a specific structure, they made these using planks and "sewed these together" using ropes. With their ships they found their way to North Africa and Asia Minor. It was characteristic of them to particularly revere women, who for their part were sustaining the cult of their forefathers. The beliefs of the Liburnians were based on old, predominantly female gods, of whom we know the names were Ansotica, Ica, Iria and Sentona. They also worshipped the god Silvanus. After long battles with the Romans, the Liburnians lost power and Rome took control of this region. After the fall of Rome in the 5th century, the Ostrogoths came to Opatija. In the 6th century the Byzantine rule began. In the 7th century the Slavic people emerged, and they were then replaced by the Franks. In the 12th century, Opatija came under the rule of the patriarchs of Aquileia. Opatija as it is now emerged from the construction of the small church of St. James and the connected monastery, which were first mentioned in the mid 15th century. Following this, Opatija passed into the hands of the Habsburg Dynasty.

From the mid 16th century to the beginning of the 18th century, Opatija was owned by the Augustine Monks from Rijeka before finally passing into the ownership of the Church. When the Austrians began their rule, a period of great progress began. It is generally accepted that the year 1844 is the year when Opatija began to develop as an elite holiday resort. In the same year the Villa Angiolina was built and the Grand Hotel Quarnero (today Hotel Kvarner) opened its doors. It is the oldest hotel on the Adriatic coast and soon become known as the favourite place of European kings and emperors of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. In 1889, Opatija was officially declared the first sea and health resort on the Adriatic Sea. By 1913, approximately ten hotels had been built as well as 44 bed and breakfasts, 83 villas and even 5 public baths which were surrounded by the beautiful botanical gardens. Opatija began to fall following the Kingdom of Italy taking power during the First World War and the subsequent fascist occupation. Following this, there was the German occupation in 1943 which lasted until the end of the Second World War in 1945. Once it had been freed, Opatija was annexed to the former Yugoslavia. During this period, the area and its tourism began to thrive again. After the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, Opatija became part of the Republic of Croatia.