Rijeka
Rijeka 
History of Rijeka
LAYERS OF THE PAST
The city has an unusual and complicated past which could be compared with an olive tree: long-lived and buckled, with a fruit that is bitter to the taste but the oil is good quality.
Ancient history
Life on the coastal area of the Gulf of Rijeka can be traced back to the prehistoric period. The Celts once lived here and it is possible that the name Trsat comes from the Celtic word "tarsa", which means "hill above the river". The fortified settlements bore the Illyrian name Liburnia and were inhabited by sailors, pirates and shipbuilders. In ancient times, the town's name was Tarsattica. The fortress was a Roman municipality. Unfortunately, traces of this period have almost disappeared.
7th century - Croat settlement
The Croats fought against the Franks. Count Erich, the favourte of Charlemagne, was killed on the hills of Trsat in 799.
Reka (Rika) or St Vitus
In the 13th century, from the layers of the past, a new settlement grew up. This was Reka (Rika) or St Vitus (St Vitus on the Rječina), a town with gates, towers, streets and squares.
There was a change of rulers: the Devin dynasty, the Frankopans, the Princes of Krk and Counts of Walsea.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, under the rule of the Counts of Devin, Gothic Rijeka was built. Trsat developed on the left bank of the Rječina. In the ancient period, there was a Japod fort and later on a Roman observation post situated here. It became very important during the time of the Princes of Krk, the Frankopans.
The Habsburgs
From 1466, Rijeka (apart from a short break) was under the Habsburgs until 1918.
In the 17th century, the town flourished. Manufacturing, trade, the arts and education all developed (in 1627 the Jesuit Gymnasium was built, the third in Croatia but the first on the Adriatic, and is still working today). Baroque Rijeka was built in this period.
In the 18th century, in 1719, Rijeka was proclaimed a free port, and industry, seafaring and crafts developed. In 1725, the first road was built which connected Vienna with the Adriatic (the Karolina).
The New Babylon
In the 19th century, Rijeka was the eighth largest port in Europe. 2,400 workers were employed in the largest tobacco factory in the Empire. In its paper factory, the first steam engine in South-East Europe was installed. More than 20 large companies and shipyards were registered. In the streets of Rijeka, Croatian, Italian, German, Hungarian, Slovenian, French, English, and even Swedish and Flemish could be heard. The building of the only naval academy in the Empire was constructed (the modern-day Rijeka Hospital).
The Nugent Museum was opened in Trsat Castle, the first museum in Croatia. The Adamić Theatre (now destroyed) was opened, a theatre building that housed 1,600 people, and which was one of the biggest in Europe.
Two women occupy a special place in the history of Rijeka in the 19th century. Karolina Riječka saved the city during the Napoleonic Wars by using her charms during negotiations with the English admiral. Ida de Kiss, the Governor's wife, kept the company of Europe's elite (e.g. Franz Liszt) and brought a Viennese touch to Rijeka.
The Hungarian period
in 1870, the Hungarian government took over the administration of Rijeka. From 1872 to 1896, the most successful mayor of Rijeka, Giovanni Ciotta turned Rijeka into a genuine European centre. From 1873, Rijeka was connected by railway, via Ljubljana and Zagreb, with Vienna and Budapest, and the following year with Trieste. The port flourished and the first oil refinery in this part of the world was built. Many steamship companies and banks were also founded (Riječka Bank in 1871). The population doubled, electric trams connected all parts of the city, 22 Consulate Generals were assigned, and there were 20 hotels and 9 cinemas.
Well-known architects from Trieste, Vienna, Leipzig and Budapest, together with local skilled workmen built large buildings all over Rijeka. The biggest one in the residential part was for the Emperor Francis Joseph I's brother Joseph.
Between the two World Wars
In 1924, Rijeka was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, while Sušak became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Rijeka was intensively Italianised and economically decayed, becoming a provincial town in a state to which it didn't belong and which didn't need it. However, the city's architecture was enriched by the two skyscrapers of Rijeka and Sušak.
The end of World War II reopened the Rijeka Question. In 1947, Rijeka was returned to Croatia. After World War II, Rijeka became a transit, tourist, administrative, economic, industrial, cultural and university centre. After 1970, Rijeka could be reached by air. Rijeka airport is on the island of Krk (25 km from Rijeka).
The revitalisation of the Old Town began in 1960 following the concept of local architect Igor Emili.
After its renovation in the 1960s, Trsat Castle became a venue for cultural and artistic events.
Rijeka became a university centre in 1975 with its seat in the old municipal building in Sušak.
Source: http://www.tz-rijeka.h
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