14. April 2025.

Installed panels now guide visitors through the tourist interpretation of the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera.

The Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera (CVR) has developed the Tourism Development Strategy of the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera 2019–2029, which serves as a joint platform for the City of Crikvenica, the Municipality of Vinodol, and the City of Novi Vinodolski, along with their local tourist boards and other institutions from the public, social, and economic sectors involved in tourism development. Tourist interpretation of the area is one of the projects included in the Action Plan of this Strategy. This innovative project aims to enrich the visitor experience through interactive and educational content that highlights the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical landmarks of the region.

A mobile augmented reality app has been developed for Android and iOS devices to accompany the routes. The app combines digital information and virtual elements with the real world using technologies such as cameras, motion sensors, GPS, and AR techniques that insert 3D models into the user’s surroundings. This technology allows users to experience interactive virtual elements in real-time environments. Three interpretative routes have been created within the CVR area so far.

The Tourist Board of the City of Crikvenica has designed a virtual health tourism route. This trail interprets the health and bathing traditions on which modern tourism in Crikvenica is founded. Within the augmented reality app, a virtual guide leads visitors through landmarks and locations that once played an important role in the lives of local people and influenced the development of the area and tourism, many of which remain significant today. The guide – more precisely, the female guide – is Archduchess Clotilda, after whom Crikvenica’s first hotel was named. Before scanning the app’s main QR code, visitors can meet their guide through a separate QR code. This mobile AR app encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the culture and identity of the Crikvenica Riviera, creating lasting and unforgettable memories.

The route includes seven themed stops: Pavlini, Bilje, Sea, Air, Clotilda, Climate, and Miramare. In addition to the virtual guide, visitors can view old photographs of certain locations and read brief texts about the historical context of each stop. The app is available in Croatian and English.

The Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski has created the route From the Spring to the Frankopans, which begins in the centre of Povile, continues to the Gradina fortress in Ledenice, and finishes back in Povile. At the trail’s entrance, a large 1.5 x 1 m info panel presents an overview of the route, its highlights, and local plant life. For interpretation purposes, a character named Dobrica Sokolić – dressed in traditional Novi Vinodolski folk costume – was developed. Dobrica is a historically significant figure connected to the Ružica Vinodola festival, as he was the last elected Ružica in 1880. Three smaller panels with different QR codes were created for the route. At the Gradina site, Dobrica shares a story about Kugina kuća across three micro-locations. The story is available in both Croatian and English. By scanning the QR code, the story begins automatically at the site. A large plexiglass panel has also been installed – when viewed from a distance, it outlines the full shape of the original fortress, giving visitors a glimpse into its former grandeur.

The Tourist Board of the Municipality of Vinodol brought to life several interesting historical characters, including a Frankopan prince and princess – members of the once-glorious noble family that ruled the Vinodol area. Also featured virtually are a medieval peasant woman and various household items used in the past. By bringing the Drivenik castle site to life with augmented reality, visitors can interactively explore the history of the Vinodol Valley and gain deeper insight into the local way of life and traditions, creating a strong emotional connection to the past. This project has resulted in a unique cultural tourism product that highlights Vinodol Municipality as a destination rich in heritage.

“We believe that the tourist interpretation of the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera will contribute to a greater understanding and preservation of our rich heritage and attract even more visitors. This project is just one of many activities outlined in the Action Plan for Tourist Interpretation, and the tourist boards of the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera will continue with further initiatives. We’re already working on the Camino project, and we’re excited about the development of other tourism products – all with the goal of creating new reasons to visit outside of peak season and enhancing the existing offer,” said Marijana Biondić, Director of the Crikvenica Tourist Board and coordinator of the activities outlined in the Agreement on the Association of Local Tourist Boards in the Crikvenica–Vinodol Riviera area.

If you haven’t yet visited the locations along these fascinating routes, we warmly recommend doing so soon — and enjoying every step of the way.