About Lopar

Lopar is a tourist community on the island of Rab. It is outside the ancient city of Rab, the administrative centre of the island. Lopar is rich with sandy beaches, virgin coves and a crystal clear sea.

You can arrive to Lopar by the Jablanac-Misnjak ferry line, which is a 10 minute boat ride, or you can use the ferry line Valbiska (Island of Krk) – Lopar, specially interesting to our visitors because of it’s proximity to Rijeka and the airport.

The legend of St. Marin

The Lopar people are especially proud of St. Marin, the stone-mason and the founder of the Republic of San Marino, who was born in Lopar in the 4th century. In his honour the hotel community bears the name "San Marino", and to commemorate Marin, who founded the Republic on the hill Titano, today the City of Rab has a special relationship with the Republic of San Marino.

Beaches

As already mentioned, Lopar is rich with beautiful sandy beaches. There are 22 beaches, and 3 of them are nudist (Ciganka, Sahara and Stolac). You will be mesmerized by a countless number of small coves with warm sea and fragrant Mediterranean plants that will invite you to visit us over and over again…

The largest and most popular Lopar beach, the "Rajska plaža" (Heavenly beach), spreads for 1.5 km in length. If you want to get lazy in the shallow sea and worm sand, then this will be your own little paradise. Since 2003 Lopar is a proud owner of the "Blue Flag", the international environmental award made to beaches and marinas that demonstrate excellent environmental standards and excellent sanitary and safety facilities.

History

In Lopar, in the place called Zidine there was a community that lived constantly through the Early Stone Age, then the Copper Age, Bronze Age and all the way to the 4th century A.D. when an Greek fort was established at the same location. The remains of the fort and early settlements are still present to show the great history of this place.

The cape Zidine, along with the entire north part of the Lopar peninsula is a protected natural preserve. Because of it’s uniqueness, geomorphic characteristics and historic remains (Roman and Greek forts, settlements dating before Christ) Lopar attracts more and more tourists that, beside rest and natural beauty, enjoy learning about the human history. After each heavy rain you can spot the remains of amphora’s, terracotta and Roman coins in the shallows. These riches can be rarely found anywhere.

Sights

There are two churches in the town. The first one is the parish Church of St. John the Baptist, the protector of the Lopar parish located in the centre of town. In the summer months masses are kept in foreign languages and there are many concerts of island choirs (klape) and classical music concerts.

The second church is The Votive Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary that dates from the 14th century. It is located on a small hill, in the pine woods beside the ferry landing, and it is visited by many tourists and pilgrims. A particular thing about it’s interior are the scarves that the sailors use to donate to the church after long and dangerous voyages.

The church celebrates it’s day on the 8th of September when believers from the whole island, along with many tourists, gather to celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among people this holiday is better known as the "Mala Gospa". A great festivity is held on that day and accompanied by many sports and cultural events.

Tradition

During your stay in Lopar you can also see the Rab cross-bowers show. They have revived the cross-bowing tradition and brought joy to both visitors and local people.

The brave knights, accompanied by their fair maidens, hold a tournament several times per year and each of their shows brings great thrill to visitors. Along with the San Marines, the Rabans are the only ones in Europe that hold medieval days (better known on Rab as Rapska Fjera). This is one of the best cultural and historical manifestations in Croatia.

It would be unjust to leave out the specificity of Lopar dialect and songs, which the younger generations, grouped in the Cultural and Artistic Society of San Marino, are trying to preserve. You will surely enjoy their dances accompanied by the traditional instrument called the mih.