RIJEKA AND OPATIJA CHURCHES DEDICATED TO MARY
The
Assumption of Mary, Rijeka
This large church, Duomo, once the parish church, was
constructed in the early Middle Ages on the remains of a Roman
thermal bath. It was reconstructed and renovated many times, and
contains many valuable items: such as the altar backdrop (in
particular, Saint Phillip Neri and Saint Anthony the Abbot, 18th
century); the marble altar; and Baroque stucco work on the ceiling
of the sanctuary. The stone gravestones that remained under the
current floor of the church were put up on the outer northern wall
of the church and are a “historical testimony of the populace of
Rijeka”. Next to the church is the bell tower (16th century), and
due to an inclination of approximately forty centimetres, it is
called the “Leaning Tower.” The special celebrations are held on
Annunciation (25 March), on Palm Sunday (here called Olive Sunday,
the Sunday before Easter, the procession leaves from the church and
goes to the Saint Vitus Cathedral), on Saint Vitus (15 June,
children are blessed and the procession goes towards the Cathedral)
and on the Feast of the Assumption (mass served on the evening of 14
August).
Tel: 051/ 214 177, 335 882
Mary, Help of Christians, Rijeka
This Silesian parish church stands out for its position and size.
This triple nave construction (1934) is the central church dedicated
to Mary, Help of Christians in Istria and the Croatian coastal
region. The carefully landscaped surroundings and wide staircase
leading to the entrance impress all visitors. Also in the complex is
the very esteemed Silesian secondary school. The holy day of Mary,
Help of Christians (24 May) is the most celebrated day in this
church.
Tel: 051/ 211 289, 335 882
The Assumption if the Blessed Virgin Mary, Opatija
This church in Opatija (1913/1914) is a triple nave structure in the
upper part of town; it was constructed of Kastav stone. The interior
is dominated by granite and brick. Over the altar is a ciborium,
similar to the one in the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, with a large
cupola arising. A monastery that was taken over by the Jesuits in
1960 was built next to the church, which still has not been
completed. At the bottom of the church is the Lourdes cave (1942);
next to it is the altar dedicated to the Mother of God of Trsat,
erected at a time when it was difficult to reach Trsat due to
political reasons. The most celebrated feast days are the Feasts of
the Assumption (25 March) and Our Lady of Lourdes (11 February).
Tel: 051/ 712 830, 271 310
Of particular note:
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Veli
Brgud
The most celebrated feast day is the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception (8 December) and the votive Feast of Saint Cosmas and
Damian (26 September).
Tel: 051/279 121
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Donja Drenova
The holy mass is celebrated on Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 July)
Tel: 051/254 266