Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic church in Rijeka, Croatia, built in the early twentieth century in a neo-Gothic spirit. Its design was meant to evoke the famous sanctuary at Lourdes, and the church remains one of the city's most recognisable religious landmarks.

Where is the church and how do you find it?

The church stands in Rijeka, the Kvarner Bay port city, next to the Capuchin monastery it belongs to. Its coordinates are roughly 45.328° N, 14.437° E. The building stands out clearly among the surrounding streets, so it is easy to spot on a walk through town. Church and monastery form a single complex and are usually described together.

How was the church built?

Construction began in 1904 on the initiative of the Capuchin order and continued in stages for about three decades. The lower church was finished around 1908 and dedicated to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted. The upper church was completed only in 1929, when its facade was finished to a design by Cornelio Budinich.

The original plans came from Giovanni Maria Curet and called for a neo-Gothic basilica, with a style intended to recall the Lourdes sanctuary. A slender bell tower of about 75 metres, conceived in the manner of a lighthouse, was also planned but never built.

Why is it dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes?

Sources give different reasons. One account says the upper church honoured the miraculous healing of Fr. Bernardin Škrivanić at Lourdes. Other accounts tie the project to the 50th anniversary of the Lourdes apparitions. Guidebooks also repeat stories about how money was raised to finish the building, but these are poorly documented, so they are best treated as local lore rather than established fact.

What can you see inside?

The interior is decorated with frescoes by Romulo Venucci. The church also holds a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes by Anton Marijetić. The neo-Gothic architecture, pointed forms and calm monastery-church atmosphere appeal to worshippers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Is it worth a visit?

Yes, if you are interested in Rijeka's sacred architecture from the turn of the twentieth century or the history of the Capuchins in Croatia. A visit usually takes little time and combines well with a stroll through the city centre and other sights.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church built? Work began in 1904. The lower church was finished around 1908 and the upper church was completed in 1929.

Who designed it? Giovanni Maria Curet drew the original plans, and Cornelio Budinich designed the 1929 facade.

What style is the church? Neo-Gothic, with a deliberate reference to the Lourdes sanctuary.

Was the tower ever built? No. The planned tower of about 75 metres, modelled on a lighthouse, was never realised.

Who made the frescoes and the statue? Romulo Venucci painted the frescoes, and Anton Marijetić made the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Does the church belong to the Capuchins? Yes. It was built on the Capuchins' initiative and forms a complex with their monastery.