Kostrena is an old, popular seaside town mentioned for the first time at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1874 it gained its municipal independence for the first time. It lasted only two years. It is divided in two parts: St. Lucija and St. Barbara, with names inspired by the names of the two churches situated on its territory.
Kostrena is situated in close vicinity of Rijeka, surrounded by Martinšćica and the Bay of Bakar. Our Kostrena peninsula is about 10 kilometers long, with a mild slope toward the sea coast. Along its length there are many beautiful beaches which are visited by thousands of swimmers during the summer months. The most famous and most popular are the beaches in Žurkovo Bay, then Smokvino, Svežanj, Spužvina, Podražica, Nova voda and Perilo.
Kostrena consists of twenty settlements, many of which are named after the families that used to inhabit them. Nowadays, the largest number of inhabitants live in Vrh Martinšćica, Glavani, Sv. Lucija, Rožmanići and Paveki.
The area is marked by the characteristic karst area with the Mediterranean flora, familiar Kostrena dry stone walls, and a mild climate which sometimes changes due to the strong gusts of gale.
The whole existence of Kostrena and Kostrena people is based on the sea element, and the maritime affairs have been their base orientation ever since the name Kostrena was mentioned for the first time. Kostrena has given many well known captains, among which is Pavao Randić who was the first person to sail across the Suez Canal before it was opened. Erazmo Bernard Tićac participated as a chief architect in the building of “Savanah”, a trader driven by nuclear power. Kuzma Franelić contributed to the fame and courage of our seamen through his participation in the rescue of “Titanic” passengers. Together with the famous captains and ship-builders, during the second part of the l9th century the ship-owners from Kostrena sv. Barbara owned 20 ships, while they had shares in 48. At the same time the ship-owners from Kostrena sv. Lucija owned 13 ships and had shares in 31.
Our Kostrena peninsula is about 10 kilometers long, with a mild slope toward the sea coast. Along its length there are many beautiful beaches which are visited by thousands of swimmers during the summer months. The most famous and most popular are the beaches in Žurkovo Bay, then Smokvino, Svežanj, Spužvina, Podražica, Nova voda and Perilo.
