Saint James’s Church

St. James’s Church holds great significance for Opatija. Founded in the 15th century as a colony of Benedictine monks who fled from a monastery in northern Italy, this abbey was the center of local life, after which the entire town was later named. Court proceedings were held here, and during the feast of St. James, the fairground hosted trade, gatherings, and dancing. In the 19th century, it also became home to Opatija’s first school. Expanded several times, it underwent its largest extension in the 1930s. If you decide to visit, in addition to liturgical ceremonies, you can also see a replica of a relief by Ivan Meštrović or attend a chamber concert.