Rab's flag
St. Christopher Patron Saint
town RabPromenade St. Christopher's square harbour Rab
This captivating, ancient mediterranean town is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the entire Adriatic. In the narrow streets and medieval alleyways, town Rab has a scattering of welcoming restaurants, cosy cafes and of course picturesque churches and palaces. In the summer eves the old town Rab is the liveliest and the most frequented place on the island, a little pot full of various events and flavours. From St. Christopher's square to Lodge, town's main street practically named Srednja ulica ( Middle street) transforms itself into a big gallery. Town swarms with events: from Rab's musical evenings where various international and local classical music performers can be heard, to Rab's pictorial exhibitions or popular shows. Here people enjoy company amongst others if you like the crowds but you can easily escape from all that hustle, painters and booth sellers to more secluded parts of the town ( Gornja ulica / Upper street, the Park, the remains of St. John or rest by the St. Mary church) to take pleasure in a peaceful Mediterranean evenings. One can also enjoy in open air cinema ( subtitled films).Since the principal impression about the town is that of historical sight, let's quickly review it.. Town and island Rab has a long history that dates back to 360 BC when was first been heard of under the Illyrians. From 3 ct. BC to 6 ct. Rab was part of Roman Empire. The first written mention was in an old Roman document in which the roman Emperor Octavian Augustus proclaimes it a Municipium and grants it independence in 10th yr BC. It was the 1st town of the roman dalmatia to be given rare honorary title, that of FELIX ( happy); a small amphora with the incryption "Felix Arba" has a particular importance as a artefact of the times ( dated to 2-3 ct. BC)
Few artefacts of that time bear witness that Rab was fully developed and highly civilized at the time, providing amenities such as running water, baths, temples, a theatre and a network of cardo streets. Although little is left to see of the antique build, as town prospered anew later on, it presents abundance of neat romanesque architecture, perhaps the best preserved urban environment of the romanesque time on Adriatic. In these houses, churches, cloisters and towers one can sense the contrasting environment of the life outside and within the town walls. Rab flourished due to its strategic position on Adriatic trade routes. Though it was never independent like Dubrovnik, Rab had a prosperous and influential life. Traces of the past glory are read in towns heritage records: for expl. in 1018 the yearly tribute due to Venice was of ten pounds of silk or five pounds of gold. Richness in goods ( silk, vine, salt, olive oil, woods...) was the reason why many Venetians gladly came to this remote island to serve the Serrenisima and enjoyed their life on Rab. How important the town was speaks the fact that the Pope Alexander III sanctified Rab's Cathedral in 1177 on his return to Rome from Zara ( Zadar). Rab reached its peak in 14-15 ct.
Many portals and windows along the Upper and sideways streets talk of these once prosperous and rich times. Rab was also the the birthplace of the famouse cannon and bell founder in bronze Magister Johannes Baptista Arbensis (1470-1540) on the Adriatic at the time who worked in Dubrovnik as well as of a celebrated philosopher, theologist and natual scientist, Marco Antonio de Dominis, who made his fame in England and was known as one of the most influential persons of his time. Island was also a birthplace of one of the saints: St.Marino.Nowdays Rab is enchanting and sharming place to visit, quiet and real hide-away in the winter and really popular place in the summer season.
Events:
- 2nd week after Easter - Krizi ( "Crosses") - procession
- 09.May - Town Rab Day ( Victory day - see legend )
- 25 - 27. July. - St. Christopher's Fest, with knight's tournament and Medieval Festival
- 15. August - Knight's tournament
- summer Musical evenings; classical music concerts
- art exhibitions
- folks fests / bank holidays, local festivities
- pop concerts ( irregular, on announcement)RAB MEDIEVAL SUMMER FESTIVAL - Rapska Fiera
The patron saint of the town and the island is St. Christopher. The Saint's intercession freed Rab from the siege and in his honour are organized Rab's festive days ( 25.07.-27.07.) when many tourists can enjoy in the medieval crossbow tournament and medieval workshops of various kind ( traditional pottery, weaving, medieval singing, traditional crafts).
Tournament dates: Dates: 09.05.; 25.06.; 27.07.; 15.08.;
ARTICLES:
The legend of St. Christopher Rab's chivalry tournament
Markantun de Dominis - ecclesiastic, apostate, and man of scienceSee photo albums of the events here:
- Tournament and Medieval Festival 2002-2003
- Crossbow tournament May 2004
