The Rose of Vinodol event has been held for seventeen years, organized by the Tourist Board of Vinodol Municipality, the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, and Pavlomir d.o.o., under the patronage of the Vinodol Municipality, the City of Novi Vinodolski, and Katarina‑line from Opatija (owned by Katarina Haupfeld, originally from Bribir), sponsor of the first prize.

These tourist boards conceived the Rose of Vinodol project to enrich the tourism offer through vineyard planting, wine production, and revitalization of old town cores. Fifteen years ago, Vinodol gained a new tourist product that was widely accepted in 2004 and proclaimed the most original tourist product of Kvarner.

The Rose of Vinodol has outgrown local festivities to become a well-known and appreciated ethno event (featuring honey products, handicrafts, indigenous specialties, and eco products). It proved to be a highly successful project, immediately finding an audience by presenting part of our rich tradition and folklore to both tourists and locals.

The event has received numerous accolades (Plavi cvijet, Zeleni cvijet, the international Diploma INTERSTAS 2007 “Merit for Tourism,” Silver Charter “Sunflower of Rural Tourism of Croatia,” among others).

Notably, the cooperation between the two tourist boards—Vinodol Municipality and the City of Novi Vinodolski—has been essential. Together they have run this project and many others for fifteen years, offering visitors culture, history, and the beauty of Vinodol as a cohesive whole. This partnership is key to Rose of Vinodol’s success and recognition as a significant tourist product.

The Story of the Rose

According to oral tradition in Vinodol, during the rule of the Croatian noble family Frankopan in centuries past, at harvest end, a girl—called the ROSE—was chosen among harvesters for her beauty and skill. She was crowned with a vine wreath and led through town in a procession with traditional folk instruments. The last such event reportedly took place in 1880.

This story inspired today’s Rose of Vinodol. Based on that historic selection, competitive games for candidates were created.

Organizers aim to bring this tradition of choosing Vinodol’s most valuable grape harvester closer to modern residents and make it appealing to tourists, offering something unique.

This year, the Rose pageant begins with the presentation of contestants on Friday, 12 August, in Bribir’s Old Town, featuring the ensemble Klapa Tramuntana from Kraljevica. As part of the presentation, contestants will compete in one game for the first time—kept secret to spark audience interest!

Competition continues 18–20 August:

• 18 August: first evening in the Pavlomir vineyards

• 19 & 20 August: evenings in Old Town, Novi Vinodolski, from 20:00 onwards

Over three days, contestants will showcase speed, dexterity, and traditional skills in grape harvesting, as well as domestic tasks that brides once were expected to know.

This year, nine candidates from across the Primorje‑Gorski Kotar region and beyond are participating. The event has outgrown local boundaries—there are contestants from Baranja and Karlovac!

Applications are welcome until next week via email: tsg‑novi‑vinodolski@ri.tcom.hr,tzo‑vinodolske@ri.tom.hr.

Former contestants may apply except past winners. Plenty of reasons to apply and great fun await!

Top prizes include:

• 1st Prize: seven-day Adriatic cruise sponsored by Katarina Line

• 2nd Prize: weekend half‑board stay at Hotel Eden in Rovinj, sponsored by Adria Mare Travel Agency

• 3rd Prize: visit to Konoba Luce in Vrbnik (tasting and lunch), also sponsored by Adria Mare

All contestants receive smaller keepsake prizes, and the winner will gain significant media attention.