General information
A famous tourist centre on Istria's eastern coast, situated in a nice cove dominated by the pebble beach and rich vegetation. This small fishermen's village, with its Mediterranean ambience and providing suitable opportunities for spending holidays has early arisen interest among wealthy people. The merchant from Rijeka Prohaska (1890) and the lawyer Filippini from Trieste (1904) built there their summer mansions. The beginnings of tourism date back to the end of the 19th century, when Rabac was frequented by excursionists who were coming by steamships of the Lloyd of Trieste, visiting the Istrian and Kvarner coast. In 1912 Rabac had the status of a summer and health resort with three tourist facilities: Albergo al Quarnero, Alla citta di Albona and Miramare. The promenade was constructed in the same year, and the public beach was equipped with a wooden dressing cabin. The first hotel, Trieste, was opened in 1924. Tourist development of Rabac saw its peak between 1961 (when the hotel company of the same name was established) and the beginning of the 19070s, when tourist resorts Santa Andrea, Maslinica and Girandela were finished. Parallelly, with the decline of mining industry in the region of Labin, family houses, designed for tourist purposes, appeared in large numbers.
The daily accommodation capacity of Rabac can provide for up to 10,000 tourists (hotels, campsites, apartments and family houses). In addition, the town has a fine gastronomic offer, boat excursions, as well as excellent sports and recreational facilities. Easy access, beautiful beaches and clear sea make Rabac one of the best holiday resorts for families.
Sport and recreation: walking along the sea, cycling, tennis, water sports, etc. Sports centres Oliva and Prohaska.
RABAC, a town, port and tourist centre on the south-eastern coast of Istria, 5 km southeast of Labin; population 1,373. Chief occupations are fishing and tourism. Situated before the Big Straits (Velika Vrata), the main access to the Rijeka Bay, opposite the island of Cres and at the foot of Labin. The bay of the same name is the lower, submerged part of the depression through which a stream from the flysh Podlabin runs. The port can serve as a shelter for larger vessels; exposed to south- easterly and south-westerly winds. The bora is moderate. The sediments carried by the Rabac stream mud the water in the north-western part of the port. The depth at the head of the pier is around 4.5 m, and along the embankment 3 to 3.5 m. Situated on the regional road which connects Rabac with Labin and Vozilic.
The chapel of St. Andrew, a building of a simple rectangular ground-plan, has the Gothic portal and windows. The chapel has a Gothic statue of St. Andrew from the first half of the 15th century (now in the Porec Diocese).
[Text by Croatia.hr]
