Maiden with the seagulls

The Rough Guide to Croatia describes Opatija as a "most fashionable seaside resort" during the Austro-Hungarian Empire which now "attracts a mainly mature crowd." So, we stick out like sore thumbs, being mostly immature. 

This statue is called "Maiden with the seagull" although today there was the bonus of an extra, real one. The statue is a symbol, not only of Opatija, but the entire Kvarner region. Standing on the reef beside Lungomare according to the visitopatija website "it intrigues all passengers with her interesting story and identity which was unknown for decades." In 1891, Count Arthur Kesselstadt  lost his life in a spring storm at sea. The Count's family put the statue of “Madonna Del Mare” on the reef to grieve for him. Because of harsh weather conditions the sculpture was damaged and later restored.The original is kept in the Croatian Museum of Tourism in the Villa Angiolina.

As the place where the “Madonnina” once stood was left empty, it was decided to put another statue in its place. The “Maiden with the Seagull” was erected in 1956, by Croatian sculptor Zvonko Car. The Croatian Times say that "This young girl, clad in a light shift, her palm outstretched to a fluttering seagull, embodies life on the Adriatic – light, breezy, carefree, with a hint of elegance." For years, no one knew the identity of the girl. Recently Jelena Jendrasic, Car’s neighbour, revealed that it was she who was the model for the statue.

Other notable sights today included:

the Portic, a small harbour from where traditional boatmen took people on aquatic excursions;

a mural,  outside an outdoor theatre, featuring theatrical stars such as Kirk Douglas and - er - Albert Einstein;

selfies, sun-bathers and more selfies.