Even though the magnificent landmark of temple architecture, the Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, is not an ancient temple and was erected less than a century ago, its lovely look quickly won the love of locals and city guests. It became one of the prominent landmarks of Rijeka.

The modern Catholic church rises on the central Zabica Square, on the very spot where the ancient church of the early 17th century once stood. The construction of the unique temple began in 1904 thanks to the Capuchin monk Bernardin Skrivanic and the talented architect Giovanni Maria Curet.

It took only four years to build the lower part of the church and consecrate it in honor of Our Lady, while the upper part took over 20 years to finish. Another architect, Cornelio Budinich, was to complete the temple, but his project wasn’t destined to come to fruition. The slender 75 meters high bell tower with a clock that he designed wasn’t erected next to the church; today, only a huge niche in the rock, which was intended for its footing, reminds us of that.

The Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is considered a landmark of neo-medieval architecture. Its stunning facade is neo-Gothic and richly decorated with stone carvings by renowned local carver Antonio Marietti. His statues, including the Our Lady of Lourdes, adorn the upper portal. Other sculptural compositions installed on the facade of the one-of-a-kind temple belong to Italian sculptor Urbano Bottasso from Venice.

Next to the Capuchin Church stands the Capuchin Monastery. It is located to the west of the church and surrounded by a mighty stone wall. Today, the monastery is known for its Miriam printing house, which now publishes art books and secular works. It once published the famous novel The Betrothed by the Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni.

And to the east, just a few meters away, there is the Torpedo Museum with an impressive collection of military weapons. Few people know, but the first torpedo in the world was invented and produced in Rijeka.