KRK CITY - THE CITY OF KRK

History of Krk City

The CITY OF KRK was known as the urban centre of the island as early as 3000 years ago. Although Krk is considered a smaller city in terms of the number of citizens, it is without a doubt one of the great cities in terms of historical heritage.

The first known inhabitants of the island and the city of Krk were the Liburni, an Illyrian tribe. After conquering the Illyrian tribes in the 1st century BC, the Romans annexed the island of Krk to their Empire and rearranged the city of Krk to serve their needs by building thermal baths, temples and other cultural institutions.

The inscription found on the ancient tombstone dating from the 4th century, Splendidissima civitas Curictarum (The Glorious City of the People of Krk), is a description of the ancient city of Krk. The city has preserved its glory to this day, as well as its heritage that is proudly presented today.

Tourist attractions

The ancient city of Krk, the old part of the city today, is encircled by walls that, together with the city door and the forts, define the inner city layout. The preserved defense forts are the Frankopan Castle at Kamplin Square, the Tower by the sea and the City Hall at the main city square.

The ambiance-filled Frankopan Castle at Kamplin Square, completed at the end of the 13th century, is used today as a venue for various cultural events.

The multi-angular Tower by the sea, with an inscription from the 15th century, embellishes the Krk waterfront, the favorite gathering place during the summer season with a rich offer of restaurants, cafes and tourist boats offering attractive excursions.

The old City Hall, embellished by coats of arms and a very interesting and unique clock, has been dominating the main city square since the end of the 16th century. The main city street with numerous small stores, jewelry shops, galleries and candy stores runs from the main square.

The KRK CATHEDRAL is the most famous city motif. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary.

The cathedral was built in the 5th century as an early-Romanesque basilica at the site of what used to be Roman thermal baths.

Over the years the cathedral has been built up in various styles.

The present-day architectural complex of the Cathedral includes the Church of St Quirinus, the patron saint of the city of Krk, which houses the Museum of Sacral Art, and a bell-tower that dominates the city today.

Outside the city walls, there are family homes with numerous rooms and apartments for tourist accommodation purposes, as well as hotels and camps. According to the latest census from 2001, the city of Krk has almost 5600 citizens. During the summer months, due to the arrival of tourists, this number doubles.

Krk Beaches

The prerequisites for the development of tourism in the city of Krk were the climate, the sun and the sea. Bathing-places and beaches in the city of Krk have been improved since the beginning of the twentieth century, while some beaches were developed several years ago.

One of the newest pebble beaches stretches from the town harbor along the breakwater toward Ježevac, the camp bathing-place partly made of concrete continues further on and after that, several more developed beaches.

Further down the coast lie little pebble and rocky beaches accessible to those who made the extra effort and walked a few kilometers down the coast. On the other side of the exit from the old part of the city of Krk, there are several coves underneath the hotels Koralj and Dražica where the first bathing-places were constructed.

The waterfront made of concrete and the sandy seabed in coves attract many swimmers during the summer, and on the first beach you can relax with a view of the ancient walls of Krk.

Drazica is another cove surrounded with pine groves and hotels, and further on, small beaches and a smaller cove stretch all the way to the naturist camp Politin, followed by the Prniba peninsula.

On the beaches of Krk you can refresh yourself in the sea or in catering facilities by the sea.

Maintained city beaches offer entertainment for all ages, from boat and pedal boat rentals, to sand volleyball, children's playgrounds, tennis courts...

The „blue flags“ are the evidence of the sea cleanliness and each year, after the testing down the entire Adriatic coast, these flags are granted to those beaches that deserve them. On the area of the city of Krk there are five such beaches.

The green Prniba peninsula is the ideal place for an active holiday. You can make a tour of it by taking a walk or riding a bike on a non-asphalted road that is several kilometers long. In this natural ambience that is not disrupted by any constructions you may still encounter does, but this happens mostly in the springtime when it is quieter and less crowded. Beside hotels, the accommodation is available in numerous private apartments, rooms, guest houses, holiday houses and camps.