This is kind of old news, and if you reached this blog by Googling this stadium, then I'm sure you've already seen Kantrida Stadium in a bunch of similar lists over the years. Usually in blogs related to world soccer stadiums. Stadion Kantrida is the home field of NK Rijeka who play in the Croatian Soccer League (Prva Hrvatska Nogometna Liga) There a few more Croatian soccer stadiums that I've seen on various lists like this. (I left a few links below) However, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to throw in a few of my own photographs of Kantrida Stadium which I took this past summer on my Adriatic tour to Rijeka,(Pronounced Ree-yeka) Split and Zadar. Since I threw in some pics a few posts ago regarding Zagreb's Pleso Airport, I thought I would also throw in some of my photos of Rijeka as well. What the hell? Just sort of an all encompassing photo essay of Stadion Kantrida and the city of Rijeka. To see the complete list of unusual stadiums, click onto the source link...
World's most unusual football stadiums
Stadion Kantrida along the Adriatic Sea in the Croatian city of Rijeka
Source: edition.cnn.com
Related: listphobia.com
www.sportskeeda.com
www.oddee.com
www.rijeka.hr
Situated in the Croatian city of Rijeka and home to the club of the same name, this stadium might be small, holding only 10,000 fans, but is perfectly formed.
Like Braga's ground, one side of the arena is dwarfed by a giant cliff face. However, the Kantrida offers visual beauty on the other side as well, being perched alongside the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
The setting is so beautiful that since 1990 it has hosted some of Croatia's home international matches.
The stadium was renovated twice, in 1951 and 1958. It formerly had a capacity of 25,000, but this was later reduced to around 10,000 (due to the gradual evolution of UEFA safety standards) and floodlights were installed in 1975.
In addition to hosting NK Rijeka matches, the stadium is also used for the annual Kvarner Riviera international youth football tournament, first held in 1953
I spent only 2 days in Rijeka this time, and didn't bring any extra lenses to do more panoramic and artistic shots, so basically all these are photos are real-time view. In retrospect I think they came out not bad anyway. You can click onto any of the images below for a larger view.
I only used a UV filter on all these pics, so you really do have to be there to experience the full effect. The salt air, the blue of the sea and sky.
This is just part of the complex that houses the NK Rijeka offices and fan shop. I was going to pick up a jersey, but unfortunately it was closed for their 2 week summer break. I did pick up the newest Dinamo and Hajduk jerseys a few days later though. Next time for sure.
Found some footage that shows Kantrida Stadium before the start of a soccer match.
The rest of these photos are from earlier in the day and part of the next. I took almost 900 photographs during my time in Croatia this trip, and well over 100 in Rijeka alone. Here are just a few.
Just down the road is the Kantrida Aquatic Center. Home of the 2008 European Short Course Swimming Championships. The scenery again is just amazing. I was chilling out and cooling off at the patio bar overlooking the complex, when I met some cool Croatian chicks who had some killer tats. Thats something you never see in cowtown, ever.
The other Olympic size pool with the retractable roof closed. There are a total of 5 pools making up the Kantrida Swimming Complex.
The short stroll to one of the new beaches down the road. An 'Armada' graffiti scene and the historic Croatian coat of arms along a wall. "Armada" is the name of the football supporters club of NK Rijeka.
I of course took the opportunity to go down the road a bit and check out the new Kantrida Promenade/Beach. It was just an early Tuesday morning so it wasnt packed yet, but started to be by the time I was leaving. It's just a stones throw from the swimming complex and looks fantastic. The water was so relaxing and I remembered to take home some pebbles as a souvenir too. I always do that when I go. I also brought back some from Split again, as well as Zadar and Lake Jarun in Zagreb. More on this place at a previous post HERE.
I chatted with the Lifeguards, who are just out of the picture to the right. At first they thought I was Croatian as in living in Europe, and complimented me on my speaking it. Then they asked how long it's been since I've left Croatia, and I explained I'm a diaspora Croat. I got 2 thumbs up again which made me feel pretty cool.
A nearby plaque showing the various types of marine life to be found nearby.
The boring and bland city I came from, with it's pointless foodcourt fuckos was the furthest thing from my mind. (Imagine that) There was no matches going on here yet, but beach volleyball and handball are popular sports in Croatia and Europe.
It was late August, but the hot beach season on the Adriatic lasts right up until late September. To the right out of the picture is a cool patio bar with music to chill out at with beers or whatever.
The day started off with about a 2 1/2 hour bus trip from Zagreb. A few stops and gorgeous scenery all the way through. Quick pit stop for a rest break here.
No Tim Hortons, Wendy's or Burger Kings at these pit stops. Some really good food choices though, and always a patio where you can eat and enjoy the scenery. Warning to travellers - No donutburgers, beef jerky or baloney steak sandwiches I'm afraid.
I arrived in Rijeka on a Monday, in the early part of the day. (For some strange reason I wasn't thinking about cowboys, or cows, donutburgers or even beef jerky at all) At night it really picks up, with all the surrounding patios and bars overflowing. It felt so great to be with my people, as the saying goes. (As opposed to these people) This is also the staging ground for the annual Rijeka Carnival.
Hmmm? I thought. No pickup trucks, no beef jerky, no 7-11's, no crappy coffee shops, no hurr durr derps. Just like I rembered from the last time, and from the summers I spent there as a kid. Yep, this felt like home.
Everywhere you go in Rijeka, and Croatian cities in general, you don't have to go far before you hit a Tisak. It would be surprising to walk 5 minutes and not come across one. There you can buy your cigs, snacks, gum, papers, lottery tickets, post cards, magazines, batteries, bus tickets, drinks, maps, you name it.
Croatians love their daily news as well as sports and gossip/fashion magazines. (And of course KL!K magazine and similar erotika magazines as well) Rijeka is no different.
Ice cream is always a big seller in the summer. In Rijeka, wraps and different kinds of sandwiches with top quality deli meats and cheeses are popular to take on the go. Pizza and pastries as well.
Lots of the side streets are really cozy. Shops, boutiques, hair salons, foodie stores and tucked away places to have drinks, nestled next to each other, tucked in amongst the really cool looking architecture and facades.
The downtown Rijeka fish market. Like other cities along the coast, fresh fish and seafood are a must. Most of the offers were swimming in the sea just a few hours before. From many kinds of fish to shrimp, squid, mussels, and octopus. Fresh shrimp or frozen..hmmm?
The bus ride from downtown Rijeka to Kantrida Stadium was about 20 minutes. From there it was just a short walk down the road to the Kantrida promenade/beach and swimming complex. Lots of charming looking homes all the way with the all important gorgeous view of the Adriatic Sea (which was directly behind me in this photo) to admire in the mornings. A place to sit on your balcony with your kava and keksi and just breathe it all in.
When you have plenty of memory on your card, a mirror always can make for a new perspective and interesting pic.
In the early part of the afternoon on my 1st day, things started to get a bit more busy. Lots of shops to check out, and the bars, cafes and patios starting to fill up.
Every corner you turn in downtown Rijeka, and you come across more tucked away shops, patios, cool fountains and statues. People never have to travel far to pick up fresh meats, cheeses and produce either.
The Croatian National Theatre - Ivan Zajc (Hrvatsko narodno kazalište Ivan pl. Zajc) in downtown Rijeka
Just one of many cool looking fountains in downtown Rijeka. A place to rest in the shade, or just sit and admire the scenery and other attractive assets. ahem.
The view from the Rijeka Bus Station. Just down the road is the Rijeka Train Station. If you keep going you eventually will hit Kantrida Stadium. I was tempted to buy a ticket for the short trip to Pula, but already had reservations made.
Just a typical bus stop in downtown Rijeka. Every bus trip is like a cheap tourist ride.
I didn't travel all the way to Europe just to go to a McDonalds, but I figured what the hell? Without trying to sound bias, the Rijeka and Zagreb McDonalds that I visited had the best service and most enjoyable and cleanest atmosphere I've seen in a long time. There were no ghetto fuckups, smelly dirty messed up people or derps like I'm accustomed to around here. The menu has added items as well. How many McDonalds have škampi (battered shrimp) on the menu?
To the left is a sign for one of the local tattoo/piercing shops. I went and scheduled an appointment for the following day at one. Plenty of tattooed and pierced women in Rijeka. A lot actually. It's a very hip and progressive city. A center for musicians, artists and creative people in general. I didn't see any gaggles of mutants wandering around like I'm accustomed to here.
Warning to travellers - coffeenews doesn't have a particularly large readership there.
Always lots of fresh produce to find at any of the local fruit and vegeatable markets. Croatians are like that in general as well. There's always a big fruit and vegetable market and meat/fish markets in the central area of the city's. Freshness is very important and preferred to canned products whenever possible.
Just off of the main 'Korzo' meeting place. At night every seat will be taken. If you were to walk straight ahead a few minutes, you would then come to the Adriatic. Unlike the malls around here, you can walk around all day and not get bothered to go join even 1 Lemon Party.
I took a quick trek into the Rijeka Museum of Natural History. Admission was cheap and I got a bunch of cool photos. I checked out the displays of ancient swords, arrows, jewellry, pots, utensils and clothing. Part of the Vinodol tour includes an interesting video about the history of the Vinodol area, of which Rijeka is a part of, and the lives Croatians who lived there at the time.
It was awesome not having to listen to Serborella and Serbo shitfuckery from Cowtown. As well as a downtown not filled with ghetto fuckos and other types of fuckos. Warning to travellers - There are no Walmarts, Tim Hortons or Hooters in the city of Rijeka
In Rijeka just as in othe parts of Croatia, there are large super markets to be found for groceries. However, people pick up fresh items more frequently. Because there are deli's, bakery's, markets practically everywhere, one doesn't have to stock up on wonderbread and other items on weekends. Fresh bread and pastries are very important because there's a bakery always close by.
The entrance to the tattoo shop where I got my tattoo, just off the main korzo/walkway
Back by that Tisak again, just ahead is the market and main fish market just around the corner. There's always stalls that sell souvenirs, clothing, linen, purses, belts, sunglasses etc, as well.
The statue of Ivan Zajc in front of the Croatian National Theatre - Ivan Zajc. (Hrvatsko narodno kazalište Ivan pl. Zajc)
This is the guy who did my 1st 'Made in Croatia tattoo'. More on that at a previous post HERE.
Rijeka is a major shipbuilding center. A short walk from the city center one can reach the harbour and find many areas to walk or sit and enjoy the view or even go fishing. The sunsets look amazing
Saying bye to a very special friend.
Middle of the night rest stop after my 2nd day in Rijeka. Around 4 am but people were still sitting at patios, eating at the nearby pub/eatery and, strolling around and by the water. I think this was Šibenik if memory serves me correctly. My next destination, arriving just as the sun was rising on the horizon was the city of Split.
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