Attractions

Churches & Bell Towers

Rab Town is a city of churches. Most of these are along the Gornja spur (upper road) that parallels the Riva. Some of the churches are open only for Mass, but most leave vestibule doors open all day so you can peek through a window or iron grate and get a glimpse of the inside. If you are heading uphill from the harbor, be sure to take a look at the fountain in Trg Svetog Kristofora, which is adorned with sculptures of the mythical figures of Kalifont and Draga. Between the fountain and the churches are a few 15th-century palaces built by highborn families. Dominus Palace and Nimira Palace are the most impressive, but both are closed to the public.

There are many strategies for seeing Rab Town's string of churches, but if you are coming from the Nimira Palace and continue on to the top of the hill, you'll run right into St. Christopher's, which once was part of the city's highest tower. A small lapidarium next door holds ancient tombstones and other artifacts. Turn down Gornja Ulica, and you'll come to St. John the Evangelist Church (Sveti Ivan Evandelista), which dates to the 6th or 7th century and is little more than a ruin. The church served as a monastery for various religious orders as well as a bishop's residence, but it was closed in the first third of the 19th century and many of its bricks were used to repair other churches in the city. The 13th-century bell tower next door can be climbed.

Next is Holy Cross Church (Sveti Kriz), which, according to legend, has a crucifix with a Christ figure that wept because of the townspeople's immoral conduct. St. Justine Church (Sveti Justina) is next, with its 16th-century bell tower and collection of sacral items, including the reliquary that supposedly holds the skull of St. Christopher. Continue on past Trg Slobode and you'll come to a third bell tower at St. Andrew Church (Sveti Andrije), which dates from the 12th century.

Just beyond that is the Romanesque Church of St. Mary the Great (Sveta Marija Velika), which is not only on the highest hill in town but also has the biggest bell tower. Both the church and its bell tower were built in the 12th century. The pieta above the church door dates to the early 16th century. The church itself is full of centuries of history with its 11th-century altar canopy, its 15th-century choir stalls, and its 16th-century architecture. But it is the bell tower that draws the most attention. Situated on Roman ruins, the 23m-tall (75-ft.) tower has four floors and includes a balustraded pyramid on top. You can climb this one for about 5kn. If you look at the four bell towers from the sea, they clearly slope from tallest to shortest. The last church on the route is Baroque St. Anthony (Sveti Antun), which has an impressively carved marble altar.

Church Hours

St. Christopher Church: July and August, 9am to noon and 7:30 to 10pm. June and September, 7:30 to 9pm.

St. Christopher Lapidarium: July and August, 9am to 1pm and 6 to 8pm. Admission 5kn.

Holy Cross Church: July and August, 9am to noon and 7:30 to 10pm. June and September, 7:30 to 9pm.

St. Justine: July and August, 9am to noon and 7:30 to 10pm. June and September, 7:30 to 9pm.

St. Mary the Great: Daily 10am to 1pm and 7:30 to 10pm. 5kn to climb the bell tower; kids can go to the first level if accompanied by a parent. Call tel. 051/724-195.

Activities & Celebrations

Besides looking at churches and bell towers, Rab has a wide range of tourist attractions and activities that include watersports, tours, and festivals.

Tours -- Most travel agencies in town offer boat tours of the island as well as day trips to nearby Losinj or Pag. There are also excursions to Kampor, on the northwest part of the island; and to Barbat, on the south side of Rab.

Diving -- Scuba-diving excursions can be arranged through Mirko Diving Center (Barbat 17, 51280 Rab; tel. 051/721-154; www.mirkodivingcenter.com); or through Kron Diving Center (413a Kampor, 51280 Rab; tel. 051/776-620; fax 051/776-630; www.dron-diving.com).