The mayor of Rijeka, Marko Filipović, accepted the Rijeka Tourist Board report on the management of public tourism infrastructure – Trsat Castle and the Rijeka Tunnel at the 120th Mayor’s Council meeting.
Trsat Castle and the Rijeka Tunnel are considered public tourism infrastructure that boost the development of the City of Rijeka’s tourism, as visits to these sites are relevant motivating factors for coming to Rijeka. The Rijeka Tourist Board was granted management of the aforementioned structures for a period of ten years, from 1 May 2024 to 1 May 2034.
Trsat Castle
After taking over Trsat Castle and Nugent Park, an array of activities have been initiated in order to renew public tourism infrastructure pursuant to the rules of architectural and conservation maintenance and special rules for protection, as well as the protection of cultural goods and the conceptual design for the beautification of Nugent Park. The management of this medieval Frankopan Castle includes obligations such as the regular and ongoing maintenance of the structure, the provision of tourism services and information, and the coordinated organisation of cultural, entertainment and other events, as well as the year-round utilisation of the Trsat Castle premises.
The conceptual design for the beautification of Nugent Park was drafted in cooperation with the competent department of the City of Rijeka and the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Conservation Department in Rijeka. Archaeological research probing three selected sites resulted in a conceptual design for the beautification of Nugent Park, which is currently awaiting approval by the Conservation Department in Rijeka.
Trsatska gradina
Two large-scale events were held last year at Trsat Castle, namely Summer on Gradina and Winter on Gradina, as part of Rijeka Advent, both of which have substantially enhanced the tourism offering of Rijeka in their last few iterations.
In addition to projects organised by the Rijeka Tourist Board, a number of events organised by other entities were held throughout the year. The most prominent are traditional events such as Trsat Days, the cultural and entertainment programme Pul Kaštela and Malik Fest, promoting the history of Trsat, which is steeped in fairytales and legends. The Rijeka Tourist Board has actively co-funded and promoted these events, while recognising their significance in the preservation of cultural heritage, the enhancement of the tourist offering and the attraction of visitors from the entire region.
The cost of Trsat Castle management and investment works during the seven months that the Rijeka Tourist Board has managed this structure under the new contract amounts to €98,199.99. During that same period, €148,826.92 have been invested in programmes organised by the Rijeka Tourist Board at Trsat Castle.
Rijeka Tunnel
The Rijeka Tourist Board has conducted a plethora of activities that have revitalised the Rijeka Tunnel by giving it an overhaul worthy of its historic significance and transforming it into a popular venue for visits, meetings and socialising. In early July, we painted a mural designed by a young woman artist above the entrance gate to the Tunnel in cooperation with the Academy of Applied Arts. A fully-equipped info point for information providers has been set up at the entrance to the Tunnel.
Numerous infrastructural works have been carried out, including laying optical cable throughout the tunnel, lighting work on the entire premises and spreading gravel. Additional locksmith works have been performed and supplemental video surveillance has been installed along the entire Rijeka Tunnel, while the current one has been upgraded. In late August, the Rijeka Tourist Board implemented a payment system with tripod turnstiles on each side of the entrance to the tunnel.
In 2024, the Rijeka Tunnel was open to visitors from 24 April to the end of the year. Admission to the Rijeka Tunnel was free until 21 August and was subsequently charged. Entrance to the tunnel remains free of any charge for the residents of Rijeka. The Rijeka Tunnel was open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between 27 April and 7 July, while from 8 July onwards, the opening hours were extended from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Summer in the Tunnel – TunedIN and TunnelRi, as well as the first underground festival of wine, delicacies and entertainment – Rijeka Underground took place last year, while the tunnel was aptly decorated during Rijeka Advent.
The management of the Rijeka Tunnel and the implementation of the payment system from May to the end of the year cost €60,337.92, while the organisation of the programmes by the Rijeka Tourist Board amounted to €12.726,10.
(source; City of Rijeka, photo: City of Rijeka, cover photo: Rijeka Tourist Board)
