January 30, 2022 - The new attraction has stirred up controversy due to an unfortunate choice of location

A panoramic wheel was set up in Rijeka earlier this week, at a location near the waterfront in the city centre. The wheel is 22 metres tall and has 18 cabins that fit 4-5 people each.

It’s the same ferris wheel that was previously installed in Varaždin by the company Fest d.o.o. as part of the Advent programme last year in December. The attraction has now moved to Rijeka for the carnival season, and will remain there until the end of February. 

‘The wheel is quite attractiv and completely new, it arrived in Croatia from a world-famous factory in Italy late last year’, said Anita Tuček of Fest d.o.o. for Novi list.

The ferris wheel had stirred up controversy among the local population before it was even made operational, mostly due to the unfortunate choice of location. Namely, it was set up in a small square flanked by two buildings, one of the same height, the other taller than the wheel itself. The view from the top thus leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a city that has quite a few nice viewpoints as it is.

As far as panoramas go, this one is a bit narrow, and it’s been immensely fun keeping up with the public opinion on the subject. Numerous online comments rightly point out there are bars and restaurants in the vicinity that offer a better view, one of them located in a building right next to the wheel. (If you take a ride, at least you can see the daily menu through the window without having to climb a few flights of stairs, says one comment.)

Some have suggested that the passenger terminal in the nearby ferry port would have been a much better location for a panoramic wheel and would actually offer a new and attractive view of the city; others have said the same for the Delta parking lot, also in the city centre. That being said, it’s believed that the current location was chosen as the safest one in case of strong wind, a common occurrence in Rijeka which would likely prove fatal (for a ferris wheel, at least) in any other location that isn't partially shielded.

Many have also criticised the price, seen as steep at 45 kuna for a ride that lasts several minutes and offers a spectacular view of someone’s second-floor apartment. Tickets for kids aged 5-12 cost 35 kuna, and children under 5 years of age get to ride the wheel free of charge. There are also family tickets, priced at 140 kuna for a party of four. 

Judging by the comments on local media's socials, some locals wouldn’t mind the cost if the panoramic wheel was set up at a better location. Others have jokingly said it’s better to have three pints at a bar for the price of the ferris wheel ride if you so badly want to have your head spinning.

And then there are those who fervently defend the panoramic ride, saying they’re happy to see a new attraction in town even if it’s not exactly a match for the London Eye. It’s the infamous Croatian mentality, they said - complaining there’s nothing to do in this town and then viciously attacking any attempt to offer something new and exciting. There’s some truth to that; also, with the carnival parade rescheduled for the summer, us Rijeka locals were in dire need of another subject of debate.

I'm siding with those who consider it a cool concept, but poorly placed - it would have been nice to see the town from a new perspective. This way, the wheel looks more like a kids' ride in an amusement park, and in a way, it's what makes it seem like a fun prospect nonetheless. It might be worth paying 45 kuna to have a good laugh.

It remains to be seen if the panoramic wheel will turn out to be a popular attraction in spite of the majority making fun of its location. Those interested can hop on anytime between 3pm and 9pm on workdays, or from 10am to to 9pm on weekends. 

December 28, 2021 - The largest panoramic wheel of Southeast Europe, Sky View, was set up as part of the Advent at the popular Osijek Školjka in the Slavonian metropolis.

It is as high as 35 meters and weighs an incredible 90 tons. Sky View has 24 closed cabins that can seat 6 people and has a total capacity of 144 people. The largest panoramic wheel in Osijek and Croatia arrived from Turkey as a great attraction of Advent in Osijek, reports HrTurizam.

Sky View was produced in Turkey, from where it was delivered to Osijek and had its premiere in the Slavonian metropolis. It attracted a large number of guests to Advent in Osijek because riding in a panoramic wheel of this size is a unique and certainly unforgettable experience.

Such tourist attractions are a lure for visitors and were quickly praised by the leaders of Osijek and Osijek County, who eagerly waited for the wheel and daily monitored the installation so that Osijek would have the largest panoramic wheel as part of its event.

Today, panoramic wheels have become an indispensable attraction of major tourist destinations, and in the largest European cities, they are set as permanent tourist content. This Croatian panoramic wheel is mobile, which makes it attractive for filling the contents of our tourist destinations.

This is the entrepreneurial story of the Vinkovci-based company Contigo, backed by Vedran Jukić, who ordered the panoramic wheel at the end of 2019. "I visited several factories, but in Turkey, I came across the most corporate team that somehow gained my trust because they have many years of experience in making amusement park equipment. I participated in every step of making wheels and often stayed in Turkey. The pandemic caused big problems for production, and the wheel only arrived in Croatia this December,'' says Vedran Jukić, who owns one of the largest amusement parks in Croatia.

It takes a maximum of one week to mount a panoramic wheel of this size, and the surface on which the wheel is placed should be 20 by 15 meters. "The idea of ​​purchasing a mobile panoramic wheel has been in my plan for a long time and I saw great potential in it because I have been in the amusement park segment for years, and the fact that I already have a number of inquiries for this season from our sea destinations they see an opportunity to strengthen tourist facilities by setting up such a large panoramic wheel", adds Jukić.

According to this entrepreneur, the interest is great and we expect that the panoramic wheel Sky View will be a tourist attraction of our sea destinations that stick to themselves and strengthen their tourist offer.

The Sky View panoramic wheel ride in Osijek every working day from 10 am to 11 pm, except on New Year's Eve when it will be open from 10 am to 9 pm. for children up to 12 years the price of the ride is 40 kuna, and the youngest up to three years can ride for free.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

I see London I see France....will we be seeing the Old Town from the Wheel of Dubrovnik soon?