August 13, 2021 - Velika Gospa COVID-19 measures are being prepared around Croatia. While Erdut will not limit the number of pilgrims, Sinj will not hold a procession for the second year in a row, and Trsat will recommend masks even at outdoor mass. 

Preparations are underway to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption (Velika Gospa). The largest number of believers is expected in Sinj, Marija Bistrica, Aljmaš, and Trsat. 

"It is, as we know, the most visited day in our sanctuary by pilgrims who will flow into this valley from all sides like a river," said Rev. Ante Markić, pastor of the Shrine of Our Lady of Refuge for Dnevnik Nova TV.

The number of pilgrims is not limited, but the celebration, as last year, takes place under epidemiological measures. One of them is the ban on touching the statue and the painting.

"There will definitely be a disinfectant next to drinking water, and we ask citizens to adhere to the measures and to think of themselves and everyone else who comes after them," said Darko Barjaktarevic from the Erdut Tourist Board.

"Masks are only taken off when pilgrims find their place."

Special measures will also apply to the Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat.

"While the faithful are moving, even though all the masses are outside in Trsat, they must wear, or it is recommended, to wear masks. And when they find their place, when they sit down, they can take it off," said Krunoslav Kocijan, guardian of the Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat.

There will be no procession in Sinj again.

"Unfortunately, this is impossible to achieve if we want to be responsible, if we want to save as many people as possible from infection or, God forbid, from death," said Fr. Ante Čovo, guardian of the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Sinj.

One of the specifics of the shrines in Sinj and Aljmaš is touching Our Lady's image or statue. "It is strictly forbidden on these occasions," Čovo noted.

"I always emphasize that even when there was no corona. They can perform their devotion without touching it," believes Ante Markić, pastor of the Shrine of Our Lady of Refuge.

For everything to go well, Friar Kocijan urges the faithful to adhere to epidemiological recommendations.

"We will not count how many people will come; everyone is welcome," concluded Kocijan.

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section and select your preferred language.

December 17, 2019 - A zip line connecting Trsat and Delta in Rijeka will be one of the highlights in the European Capital of Culture program next year.

Rijecanin.hr reports that the building of the former Exportdrvo warehouse on the Delta, along the Dead Canal, will be leased to the City of Rijeka for the Rijeka - European Capital of Culture 2020 program, the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure confirmed.

As part of the program, which will include several significant exhibitions and other events, the highly anticipated, two-kilometer-long zip line, from Trsat to Exportdrvo, will be built, confirmed the Rijeka's head of culture, Ivan Sarar.

“The City of Rijeka has applied for a concession for the special use of the maritime domain and to run the Rijeka - European Capital of Culture 2020 program. The Rijeka - European Capital of Culture 2020 program includes the production and implementation of cultural, artistic and entertainment programs and events related to the Rijeka 2020 European Capital of Culture project and its long-lasting heritage, organizing congresses, national and international gatherings and festivals and promotional events, organizing educational programs for children and young people, and setting up and using the Rijeka zip line arrivals station,” the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure said. They noted that, given the importance of this program, for the City of Rijeka as well as for the whole of Croatia, the Ministry has already proposed to the Government of the Republic of Croatia a decision to grant the requested concession to the City of Rijeka.

The Minister of Culture from Rijeka, Ivan Sarar, spoke about the future purpose of the building and why the building was chosen for the ECOC 2020 program.

“It is a port warehouse that has lost its original purpose over time as conditions and the mode of operation and/or operation of the port have changed. Also, it is a space in the center of the city that has so far proved ideal for various entertainment and cultural events, so using that space for the European Capital of Culture program is a logical choice,” said Sarar, adding that any work on the building itself is under the authority of the Port Authority and the Ministry of the Sea as the owner, that is, the authorities managing the port area.

Sarar also announced that, if the concession agreement between the Government and the City of Rijeka is indeed signed, a zip line will be constructed with the final stop at the Exportdrvo building, which will surely be one of the biggest attractions not only during the ECOC, but also in the years to follow. 

The zip line project from Trsat, through the Rječina canyon to the Exportdrvo building, stands out among the projects in the ECOC program and is the idea of Rijeka entrepreneur Eris Marotti, who already has experience in setting up a zip line in Croatia. Marotti envisioned that the ride would begin at Trsat, from where the descent, at an average speed of about 50 kilometers per hour, would lead to the Katarina tunnel, and from Katarina, the zip line would go partly through the Rječina canyon and across the city center, down to the Exportdrvo building.

Earlier last year, when the project was announced, Marotti said it would take about two million kuna to execute. Marotti also estimated the time required for all the works to be about half a year, so that, under ideal circumstances, the zip line could function in the next summer.

Exportdrvo will also host various temporary art installations as part of the European Capital of Culture program next year. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

June 27, 2019 - Just months after European Parliament President Antonio Tajani caused uproar by referring to Italian Istria and Italian Dalmatia, an Italian flag is raised at Trsat Castle in Rijeka. 

One of my favourite pub quiz questions is the following:

Can you name the European city which was part of 12 different countries in the 20th century?

A city, which if you were born there in 1913 and lived to 1991, would have meant that you had visited 12 countries without leaving home. 

The answer is the European City of Culture 2020 - Rijeka. 

Someone born here in 1913 and alive in 1991 would have been travelling without moving through the following states: the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the Italian Regency of Kvarner, the Free State of Rijeka, the Kingdom of Italy, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Independent State of Croatia, the Third Reich, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and finally, the Republic of Croatia.

In Italy, Rijeka has a very different name, Fiume. And with such Venetian and Italian influence on Rijeka, Istria and Dalmatia over the centuries, there are those who yearn for a return of these territories to Italian control. 

Comments made by the European Parliament President Antonio Tajani back in February caused uproar in Slovenia and Croatia, and he was forced to apologise over comments made at the commemoration of WWII foibe (karst pits) victims in Basovizza near Trieste, when he reportedly said:

"Long live Trieste, long live Italian Istria, long live Italian Dalmatia."

It seems that Tajani's Italian interest in the Italian coast is not an isolated case. Earlier this month, on June 11, TCN was informed that a few days previously, three Italians travelled to Rijeka with the specific aim of raising the Italian flag at Trsat Castle. 

A video of the action at Trsat was sent to us today, which we publish without comment. 

To learn more about the fascinating history of Rijeka, here are 25 things to know. 

Trsat neighbourhood in Rijeka will soon travel back in time with another splendid manifestation inspired by the local history

Have you ever been to the Trsat Castle? A look at its most famous residents on January 18, 2018

Another enchanting location joins the Advent frenzy - and in style

Advent in Rijeka is expanding to a new location this season: the Trsat castle