If you are coming by bus, Kapucinska Crkva, or the Capuchin the Catholic church, is probably the first thing you will see in Rijeka, not counting the bus station. You don’t have to be a believer to visit the church. I think it is a matter of individual culture. I admire the architecture of churches that are massive, impressive and built in the last century or before that.

Capuchin church was built in the early 20th century, following an idea by the architect Cornelio Budinich from Rijeka. The church is a unique example of eclecticism with an emphasis on a neo-Gothic form. The patterns of the red and white bricks is breathtaking. It’s like the Croatian chocolate “bajadera”. The twin staircases on the left and the right sides will take you on the terrace in front of the church and provide you with a nice view.

Why I like Chapuchin church so much? First of all, it is in my neighborhood. I got three sacraments here. I actually pass by it every day. It is one of my favorite models to take photographs of and is really photogenic. The architecture looks so dominant and protective.

Inside the Capuchin church has three aisles church with narrow vaults. It’s very long and wide. Once, someone told me that this church is not so special. Probably because it is not so shiny and without lots of statues. Maybe that is the reason why I find it breathtaking. Even without gold, it’s still dominant.