The tradition of the Halubajski zvončari gives the Municipality of Viškovo a cultural focus that is reflected in its museum, links to processions and carnival. Kuća halubajskega zvončara houses an interactive museum about the local tradition of the Halubajski zvončari and the Pust customs of Viškovo. The “Tragom Halubajskih zvončara” route also follows this tradition: this easy circular cycling route runs along parts of the three-day procession route and passes the original locations, which feature educational displays. The Halubajski Carnival is held every year on the first Saturday after Saint Anthony’s Day, January 17. The carnival features masks, music, dancing and groups of bell ringers.
Trails, Hills and Water Sources
The “Od kalića do kalića” route connects Blažići and Mladenići. It passes through woodland, over hills with scenic views and by hidden kalići, which are part of the area’s natural heritage. The route is suitable for an easy one-hour walk or a bike ride. The two trails therefore differ in focus: “Tragom Halubajskih zvončara” is linked to the bell tradition and procession route, while “Od kalića do kalića” connects settlements, woodland and water sources.
Another viewpoint is Lončeva Griža in Lučići, at an elevation of 506 metres. From the viewpoint, you can see the Kvarner Bay, Grobnik Field, Gorski Kotar, the Velebit Mountains and neighbouring Slovenia. Below the viewpoint, the rocks host an open-air exhibition featuring works by members of the Braća Baštjan amateur artists’ association. The works are inspired by traditional motifs from the Viškovo area; individual works may change.
Kalić Kapitovac is another notable landscape feature: it lies in the deepest dolac in the Viškovo area and has never dried up. Together with the hidden kalići along the route, it reveals another facet of the local natural heritage.
Culture and Architectural Heritage
In the centre of Viškovo stands the Church of St Matthew (Sv. Matej), built in 1862 on the site of an older chapel. In Brnasi is the Širola-Kovačić house, a typical residential and agricultural complex of the Kastavština region from the 19th century. The church is dated by its year of construction and its earlier predecessor; for the house, its typical residential and agricultural function is central. Spomen-dom Ivan Matetić Ronjgov in Ronjgi, Viškovo, is an institution with a museum and memorial character.
The view of the past extends into the settlements, too: every settlement in the Municipality of Viškovo has at least one central šterna, or cistern. Once an important source of life for the community, it now serves as cultural and historical heritage, recalling the past and the way of life in earlier times.
Kvarner Bay on a Larger Scale
At the level of the wider destination of Kvarner Bay, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County offers another cultural and landscape perspective. The Putovima Frankopana cultural-tourism route includes a total of 17 Frankopan castles and three religious sites. The Natura 2000 network includes 111 sites in the county, covering nearly 75 percent of its land area and 16 percent of its marine area.
Discover more destinations: Viškovo, Marinići, Municipality of Klana, Municipality of Lokve, Municipality of Rijeka, Municipality of Mošćenička Draga, Municipality of Mrkopalj, Municipality of Jelenje.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Kvarner Bay.
