Rab Town Tourist Attractions
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Rab, the main town on the island of Rab, is a beautiful sight both from land and sea. Four large bell towers grace the peninsula giving the town a dramatic appearance. The old town is divided into two parts, Kaldanac and Varos. Kaldanac is located at the tip of the peninsula and was the site of a Roman settlement and is characterized by old stone villas. Varos, further back on the peninsula, has the look of a typical medieval town with narrow winding streets and fabulous architecture. The old town of Rab is a pedestrian only area, closed to traffic, making it a pleasant place for visitors to explore. The town seems to have a church on every corner, many of which are worth noting.Rab also has some nice nearby beaches, and water taxis run regularly to the Frkanj Peninsula, which is also a popular sunbathing area.Throughout the summer months Rab has a number of festivals and special events. Some of the ones to watch out for are St Christopher Day (Sveti Kristofor Day) on July 27th, the celebration of the Assumption on August 15th, Croatian National Day on May 29th, and the Rab Musical Evenings which runs all summer long with musical concerts.
Rab - Cathedral of St Mary the Great
The Cathedral of St Mary the Great (Katedrala Sv Marija Velika) in Rab is actually only a church, having lost its status as a cathedral in the early 1800s. However, it is still generally referred to as the cathedral. The Cathedral of St Mary the Great was built in the 12th Century, and is said to have been consecrated by Pope Alexander III. It is a Romanesque style church with bands of pink and white stone, and rows of blind arches which lead out from the main portal. A dramatic artwork by Petar Trogiranain from the early 16th Century, of Mary holding the body of Christ, rests above the main portal.Near the Church of St Mary the Great is the highest bell tower in Rab. The Great Bell Tower (Veli Zvonik, was built in the 13th Century and stands 70m / 226ft high. There are great views from the top and visitors are permit to climb the tower.
Rab - Church of St Justin and the Museum of Sacred Art
The Church of St Justin (Crkva Sv Justina) was constructed in the 16th Century and was originally a Benedictine convent for young women of from common families. This ended in the early 1800s when the Church of St Justin was dissolved, and the women were sent to St Andrews church. The former Church of St Andrew now holds the Museum of Sacred Art (Muzej Sakralne Umetnosti). One of the main pieces in the museum is the 12 Century crucifix of King Koloman. There are also a number of religious paintings, murals, and texts on display at the Museum of Sacred Art.Attached to the church is a 17th Century bell tower.
Rab - Monastery and Church of St Andrew
The Romanesque Church of St Andrew has very limited visiting hours. The adjoining Bell Tower, which dates to the 12th Century, is the oldest in Rab. The Benedictine Abbey was founded here in the early 11th Century and served as a convent for young women of nobility. The Benedictine Monastery is attached to the Church of St Andrew and both are fairly inaccessible to visitors wishing to see the interior. Both the Monastery and Church of St Andrew are best appreciated from the exterior, as part of a walking tour of Rab.
Rab - Prince's Palace
The Prince's Palace (Knezev Dvor), also referred to as the Rector's Palace, stands on the square of Trg Municipium Arbe. Construction on the Prince's Palace began in the 12th Century although most of the current structure dates from the 15th and 16th Centuries. The 13th Century saw the Prince's Palace designed in Renaissance style but it was later enlarged, taking on a Gothic Style. Above the main entrance are three sculpted lions' heads which form the base of the balcony. An art gallery an exhibition area can be found on the main floor.
