Culture
Opatija
A culture full of life
Culture is not only written in stone and on paper; the history that has shaped this region for centuries, a region that has been inhabited for twelve thousand years, is not dormant in beautiful villas and museums, but lives on in full splendour in the sumptuousness of carnival masks, in the echoes of concerts on fantastic stages. Let Opatija captivate you with its story during the fascinating events that take place throughout the year.
Humans have been present in the area of Učka and the Opatija Riviera for thousands of years and have left an indelible cultural and historical mark, which is carved in the stone of medieval cities, on the facades of Opatija's villas of Art Nouveau architecture, in the exhibits of the Croatian Museum of Tourism and ethno collections, as well as among the works of contemporary artists from the Volosko ateliers.
Every season in Opatija brings its own excitement - winter is marked by the romantic Advent and a joyful and relaxed Carnival, while spring brings gastronomy and wellness & spa programs such as Walk, Art & Wine Volosko. During this season, you can also look forward to historical and cultural spectacles, including the Medieval Veprinac program and the "Markova" celebration of the Veprinac patron saint St. Mark in the medieval town of the same name - Veprinac.
Summer brings numerous concerts to the Open Air Summer Stage, one of the most beautiful open-air scenes in the Mediterranean, enriched by the popular Liburnia Jazz Festival, RetrOpatija and Imperial City (Carski grad). The cultural aura of Volosko and Veprinac is also displayed in its full glory by the legendary "ex tempore" artistic event Mandrać and the evenings with "klape" vocal groups in Veprinac. Autumn is dedicated to local products and experiences with the Marunada festival and the Učka Fair.
Pick your season, get to know Opatija's rich history and culture, and experience the best it has to offer!
Piran
The cultural and art pathways
The paths of tradition will take you on diverse and exciting adventures, intertwined with local customs and the authentic heritage of the whole area. From classical concerts to crazy nights at the beach, from the tradition of "salt harvesting" at the local salt pans to the rich cuisine of the villages in the hinterland - every day can bring a new story inspired by the timeless cultural legacy of the Portorož Riviera.
The rich history of Piran has paved winding narrow alleyways that at every enigmatic turn meet with tradition, promising an unforgettable adventure. Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday obligations behind and ‘live out’ the stories that have marked the town and its inhabitants: take a stroll along what was once the Austro-Hungarian Riviera and the maze of narrow Piran streets, explore the richly decorated sacral monuments and discover the diverse architecture of different time periods.
Do not forget the coast and the hinterland: get to know the origins and beneficial effects of natural resources from the local salt pans, or follow in the footsteps of the legendary “boškarin” (indigenous Istrian ox with huge horns) that will take you to the traditional Istrian villages on the green hills above Piran.
Get involved in local customs, take part in the exciting rural festivities and join interesting card games the locals play to kill time in the long warm summer evenings - you will certainly hear many colourful stories from the "old days".
The summer months bring more interesting events - from classical concerts dedicated to the legacy of the great and famous violinist and composer, Giuseppe Tartini, to promenade concerts, dances, entertainment on the beach and a rich nightlife.