Of all the Adriatic and Mediterannean cities, Rijeka is located deepest within
the European mainland. It is a town of rich and turbulent history, a town which
has always attracted people seeking new business opportunities, as well as those
seeking rest and a good time. The cosmopolitan character of this Mediterannean
town of Middle-European architecture is visible with every step you take. Rijeka
is a town of strong industry and traffic, particularly sea-port traffic, but
also a town of beautiful palaces (eg the Palace of the Grand Duke Joseph, the
Governor's Palace - today they house the Historical Archives of Rijeka and the
Maritime and Historical Museum of Coastal Croatia in Rijeka), a town of splendid
details on secession period buildings, as well as a town featuring the loveliest
examples of European modern architecture.
Rijeka is situated on the coast of the Kvarner Bay, in the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea, where the Mediterranean penetrates deepest into the European mainland, coming closest to the Central European countries. As the Dinaric mountain chain is at its narrowest here in the Kvarner hinterland, this allows for easy passage between the Danube basin and the Adriatic, making the geographical and traffic position of Rijeka extremely important.