Rab

The landscape of the island of Rab is divided in two. The northeastern side of the island is mostly barren, while the southwestern side is covered by one of the last oak forests of the Mediterranean. The eponymous town of Rab is the historic centre and main settlement on the island. Four bell towers spear up out of the heart of the old town.

Rab is full of cultural history, which culminates each year with a large medieval festival, Rabska Fjera, that usually involves parades in traditional costume, food and crafts from the Middle Ages, and even a crossbow tournament. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions, the paired back festival this summer involved just a short procession through the town.

One of Rab’s most famous sons was a stone mason called Marin. He fled to Italy during the religious persecutions of the Roman Emperor, Diocletian (remember him from our time in Split?). Arriving in current-day Rimini, he found his home on Monte Titano and went on to found the mini-state of San Marino. Today this ancient tie is commemorated with a twin-city agreement.

Fun fact: in 1936 the newly ascended King Edward VIII of Britain, and his future bride Wallis Simpson, took a boozy cruise around the Adriatic and stopped in at Rab. There’s a plaque in the main square saying so. Local lore has it that island authorities granted them special permission to skinny-dip in Kandarola Bay, an event that started naturism in the Adriatic and marked Kandarola as one of the oldest naturist beaches in the world!

Anchored in the long bay beside this ancient city, we enjoyed the last few days with our dear friends from s/v Gambler, exploring the old town together while the kids soaked up the final hours with their summer buddies.