Rab
The island of Rab has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, allowing residents to get involved in tourism throughout the year, for more than 120 years. On the island there are seven settlemetns: Lopar, Supetarska Draga, Kampor, Palit, Mundanije, Banjol and Barbat. The most famous sight on the island of Rab is its four bell towers which have become a sort of trademark of the whole island.
The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary’s Assumption is the largest and most beautiful one, while other sights worth seeing are the Church of St. John the Evangelist and the Monastery of St. Andrew. In the Rab Cathedral liturgical items are conserved in the treasury along with the reliquary of St. Christopher, patron saint of the island of Rab, from the 12th century. The island of Rab has a long history, its collections are full of valuable cultural monuments and works of art. Every year, past events are evoked through major cultural and historical events, such as “Rapska Fjera” and “Krizevo“.
The Rab Medieval festival – Rapska Fjera takes place in the summer (25th-27th July); the old town becomes transformed into a stage that attracts tens of thousands of tourists. Medieval life is revived on old streets and squares with people wearing authentic costumes. Very famous is Crossbowman tournament where men compete in crossbow shooting.
LOPAR
Lopar is best known for its famous ancestor St. Marino, who was an accomplished sculptor.It is said that in the early 4th century he sailed across the Adriatic to the Apennine peninsula where he founded the oldest country in the world – the Republic of San Marino.
”Krizevo” is a church holiday which has become part of the secular tradition of the islanders and tourists that actively participate in this centuries-old procession in colorful costumes. It takes place every last Sunday of April since the 15 century. People from Rab and Lopar have pledged to their Savior Jesus Christ for saving them from plague. People stroll down the old road to the Cathedral of the Assumption in the town of Rab, where holy mass is held in memory of the ancient vow. People from Lopar walk down the century-old trail across the hill Fruga (Premužić trail) to the coast, where they all gather and walk together to the Cathedral.
On the last day of the Carnival, the Mesopust, the masquers of Lopar (maškari) wear traditional carnival masks and hat while their faces are hidden behind a “vizera” – a mask made of cloth. Gathered into small groups, they sing the old songs and visit locals in their homes. They dance the old dances ”tanac” and ”pojka” along with the sounds of the traditional wind instrument ‘‘mih” (similar to Scottish bagpipes). The entire town participates in this unusual celebration. This special carnival tradition has lasted for more than 150 years and is performed only in Lopar on the island of Rab.
On the day of the Birth of Mary, on September 8, Lopar locals organise the biggest fiesta on the island for their visitors. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (popularly called the Church of Our Lady or “ma’am,”) where the service is held was mentioned in the writings in the 14th century. Both residents and tourists around the island go on a pilgrimage to celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Lopar peninsula has twenty sandy beaches (Rajska or Paradise beach), and remarkably clear waters, where dolphins often play. It is surrounded by islets – Goli, Grgur, Lukovac and Školjić. Rab is considered to be the greenest Adriatic island. It is covered with oak woods and pine trees, which provide pleasant shade and refreshment in the summer. Many beaches have Blue Flags, and prominent Croatian and EU prize (Silver Flower of Europe, Blue Sail …).
