What did Kraljevica look like at the end of the 19th century? The answer can be found in old postcards that reveal what our town looked like when ships passed along the waterfront and tourism was only beginning to flourish.

On these historic postcards, you will easily recognize some of the landmarks that remain familiar today, such as Frankopan Castle, the Old Town Zrinski, the harbour and shipyard, Hotel Liburnija, and panoramic views of the town. Many postcards also feature the name Porto Ré, one of Kraljevica’s historical names.

A special place in this story belongs to the postcards depicting Oštro Beach, as they bear witness to a time when it proudly carried official titles such as “Kraljevica – Portore: The First Awarded Croatian Seaside Resort” (German: Erstes prämiertes croatisches Seebad; Italian: Primo diplomato bagno marino nel litorale Croato).

Digital library

Did you know that a large collection of old postcards featuring this area is available in the digital library of the Kraljevica Public Library and Reading Room?

At the link below, you can explore two albums filled with historic postcards:

https://digitalnaknjiznicapgz.hr/kraljevica/

More than just beautiful memories, these old postcards serve as a small window into the past, offering a glimpse of Kraljevica as it once was. Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that many of the places captured on them can still be recognized today.