Lovran travel guide

Background

Lovran takes its names from sweet bay (lovor in Croatian), an aromatic shrub that grows in abundance here. The old town, which used to be walled, is made up of narrow, winding cobbled streets and 15th- and 16th-century cottages, many bearing the year they were built engraved in stone above the doorway.

During the late 19th century, Opatija’s success as a seaside resort was extended along the coast with the building of the 8-km seaside promenade to Lovran. In no time at all, wealthy businessmen began constructing summer residences in Lovran, in the then fashionable Viennese Secessionist style. Tourism began developing around the same time, and escalated with the opening of the Hotel Bristol in 1917. Today Lovran offers some of the most luxurious accommodation in Croatia.

The Lovran hinterland is noted for its cherry orchards and chestnut trees, and the town organizes a number of annual gastro festivals .

On the main square in the old town, Crkva Sv Juraj (Church of St George) is dedicated to the Lovran’s patron saint. It dates back to the 12th century, though the Renaissance façade was added in the 15th century. The ochre-coloured bell tower was originally free standing, but was joined to the church when a baroque chapel was constructed between the two elements during the 17th century.

Opposite the Church of St George, the doorway of the medieval Gradska Vijecnica (Town Hall) is topped by a 19th-century coloured wooden relief of St George spearing the Dragon. A few doors down, the entrance of another building is mounted with the much-photographed Mustakon – a bizarre, grotesque, coloured wooden relief of a bearded man, intended to frighten away bad luck and evil forces.

Bus

Hourly buses running between Rijeka and Pula pass through Lovran.