Municipality of Čavle: Grobnik’s Heritage and Platak

The Municipality of Čavle brings together distinctive cultural sites, outdoor activities and regional festive traditions. In Grobnik, the heritage of the Frankopans leads to historic buildings and an old church; Platak offers a different focus, with a ski resort, hiking trails and cycling routes. Cuisine is also part of local history: Grobnik cheese and potato polenta are closely associated with the Festival of Polenta and Cheese.

Explore Grobnik’s history on foot

The old town of Grobnik is considered the most important cultural landmark in the wider Grobnišćina region and invites visitors to explore its heritage on foot. The historic and tourist landmark, the Čebuhar House, stands in the centre of Čavle and commemorates the respected, enterprising Čebuhar family. Grobnik Castle is now a gallery and museum, as well as a venue for various cultural events.

Restoration work on the south tower of Grobnik Castle was funded as part of the “Putevima Frankopana” project. This included roof repairs, façade and masonry work, and the renewal of floors and carpentry. Event dates may vary, so check what is scheduled for your travel dates.

One specific route through history is the 5 km Čavle – C5 Frankopanska Trail. It leads to historic monuments from the Frankopan era, including Kaštel Zrinskih i Frankopana, the country house of nobleman Franjo Frankulin, dating from 1660, and the churches of Sv. Filip i Jakov, Sv. Trojica and Sv. Križ. Along the way, there are views of the Rječina Gorge, Rijeka and Kvarner. The Church of Sv. Filip i Jakov in Grobnik has stood there for 900 years and bears witness to early Christianity in this area.

Platak and outdoor activities

In the northern part of the Municipality of Čavle lies Platak, a ski resort and starting point for hiking trails, promenades, other paths and cycling routes. The municipality naturally combines mountain and coastal climates and is rich in flora and fauna. As seasonal operating conditions can change, check the latest conditions before planning an activity.

There are two mountain lodges on Platak, Sušak and Platak. Both are open year-round and offer overnight accommodation and local food specialities. Check their current operating status before your trip. This allows you to plan Platak not only as a starting point for activities, but also as a place to stay overnight in one of the lodges.

For climbing, consider the Kamenjak and Vela Peša areas. They are known for their distinctive atmosphere and good rock, and are suitable for beginners and climbing schools. Check the conditions on the relevant routes before climbing.

Aviation is another experience the municipality has to offer: at Grobnik Airfield, visitors can enjoy experiences involving hang gliders, parachutes and aircraft. It is considered one of the few places in Croatia where visitors can experience all branches of aviation. During the GROBNIK OPEN DAYS event, passionate drivers can get to know the Automotodrom Grobnik track. Check event dates for your travel period, and the applicable conditions before taking part.

Grobnik cheese, polenta and festivals

Grobnik cheese and potato polenta, called “kompirica” in Croatian, have sustained generations of Grobnik residents. The Festival of Polenta and Cheese is held in their honour. It takes place every year in late June: in odd-numbered years it is held in Čavle, and in even-numbered years in Jelenje. The festival includes the children’s cooking event Little Polenta (“Mića palenta”) and cheese-making in a natural setting. Since the date and location depend on the year and programme details may vary, check the information for your trip.

Another date on the local festival calendar is Bartoja. In late August, the celebration of Saint Bartholomew’s Day brings residents from across the municipality together. The programme includes religious, cultural, entertainment, sporting and culinary events.

When choosing a hotel in the Municipality of Čavle, you can first decide what you want your trip to focus on: historic sites in Grobnik, activities on Platak or a visit during festival time. These priorities can help you plan travel dates that suit your interests.

Discover more destinations: Soboli, Čavle, Municipality of Bakar, Municipality of Brod Moravice, Municipality of Opatija, Municipality of Viškovo, Municipality of Delnice, Municipality of Lokve

Go to the main travel overview: Kvarner Bay.