Barbat - island Rab

On the south-west coast of the Rab island, on a tight fertile flat land lies the city of Barbat, the first place after the denuded Misnjak. The fertile field is appropiate for the growth of the olive trees, vineyards and vegetables. The local people are mostly occupied with cattle breeding, farming and fishing, with of course tourism which is the main industry as well in Barbat so in the other parts of the island. Many domestic products such as sheep cheese, olive oil, honey from their own beehive, vines and other specialities can be usually found on the table in front on their own guests.

Barbat attracts many tourists with its sandy beaches and the beauty of the Barbat's canal and the attractiveness of the near island of Dolin. Barbat is a real lodestone for surfers and yachtsman. The historical and cultural places to see are the old Christian church, the ruins of the church of St. Damian and the Greek military fort.

Weather forecast

Ten-day weather forecast for island of Rab

Rabska fjera

A medieval summer festival that Rab inhabitants revived out of many historic events together with the old knights' games dating as far back as the year 1364. Today the manifestation is a memory of Old Rab celebrating its free and independent municipality. The games were revived in 1995 and since the year 2002 the Rab Fair has become the central cultural event in the area.

Middle Age Festival

Nowadays the Rab Fair festivities are held on three holidays – 25th July, St. James, 26th July, St. Anna and 27th July St. Christopher. It is a memento of the traditional merrymaking that used to last for three days, when the town gates were wide open to everyone and knights' games were held. Today again on this occasion, the prince of Rab awards the prize «Felix» to the winner, while musicians, flag-bearers and the ceremonial parade of all participants dressed up in Renaissance costumes are just a part of the rich program. The guests can imagine the town as it used to be in the Middle Ages with its old crafts, costumes and more and more interesting details are added every year.

Crossbowman from Rab

Among numerous historical events, the inhabitants of Rab have reintroduced the old knights games, established in Rab as far back as 1364. Since their reintroduction in 1995 the games have become the central cultural event of this island.

Rab knights games

The knights' competition is preceded by a medieval ceremony, announced the day before by a herald by means of proclamation and drums. The ceremony starts in the overcrowded town with the arrival of the Prince and his escort to the town loggia where they are welcomed by cross-bowers, musicians and ensigns. Accompanied by strong drum beating, by the sound of fanfares and bell- ringing the participants pass through the streets of the town towards the Cathedral, to get the blessing.On St. Christopher's square, before the Town gates, the Games are solemnly opened by the Prince. The town's flag is hoisted on the mast accompanied by sound of fanfares and at the sign of the "honourable judge" the knights start their competition. By predefined order twelve knights draw the cross-bow, directing the arrow to the target. The winner is the competitor whose arrow hits the point nearest to the centre of the target. The Rab Prince proclaims the winner of the Games and hands the prize "Felix" over to him. The Rab knights games conclude with the musicians' and ensigns' program and with the solemn march-past of all participants, in Renaissance costumes.

The antique cross-bow - nowadays still used only by the "balestrieri" from San Marino in their games - is a peculiarity of the Rab knights games. In the Middle Ages it was used by the Rab people to defend their town from attackers , so that the games were introduced in honour of this defence and of their patron, St. Christopher. They games used to be held twice a year: on May 9 (Dies Victoriae) and on July 27 (Dies Natalis). These were the biggest celebrations which lasted for seven full days. The re-established games are also held on May 30 and July 27, while a solemn march-past in the town is organised on Assumption day, too. On these occasions Rab offers to its visitors a whole series of programs worth seeing.

History of island Rab

The town of Rab also boasts a long recorded history that dates back to the year 10 BC, when it is mentioned in an old Roman document by which the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus proclaims it a muncipium and grants it independence.

Island Rab - FELIX ARBA

Before long it was given another rare honorary title, that of FELIX (happy); it bears witness to the fact that Rab was already a fully developed and civilised at the time, providing amenities such as running water, baths, temples, a theatre, and a network of streets, to mention just a few.

Legend of St. Marin

More than 17 centuries ago a boy by the name Marin was born at Rab. He later learned the craft of stonemason and in search of a job left his home, crossed the Adriatic Sea and landed at a place near today’s Rimini on the Apennine peninsula. His diligence and virtue soon earned him the sympathy of the Christian community he was living in, so eventually bishop Gaudentium made him his deacon. Presecuted because of his propogation of Christianity, Marin fled to the hardly accessible hill Titan and built a small church there.