The oldest traces of the city of Krk and its surroundings date far back into prehistory. It was tailored by the exchange of the indigenous population and strangers starting with the Liburni, then the Romans, the Slavs, the Venetians… The city is set on antique foundations. This is witnessed by the preserved remains of the Roman thermae, the mosaic in the tavern Mate, the temple of Venus and in the parts of the then city walls. The city architectural roster was defined by the Romans by setting two main streets, the cardo and the decumanus, precisely where they are today. The city developed and grew through centuries, obtaining its today’s walls in the Middle Ages.
The city of Krk attracts with its representative Medieval heritage, emerged mostly during the time of the Venetian domination in the area. The Krk princes Frankopans were particularly prominent at the time, managing to remain on Krk owing to skilful political flirtation with Venice for a few centuries. The Frankopan line formed through succession from the first prince Dujam, who was installed by the Venetians after they took over the rule of Krk in the 12th century. The island was divided into several island castles – Baška, Vrbnik, Dobrinj and Omišalj, with the city of Krk as the centre. Krk princes took care of well-arranged legal relations in order to keep the peace on the island, but also cherished cultural heritage such as the Croatian language and the Glagolitic script. The Frankopan castle remained preserved almost in its original condition until today. The castle is situated at the Square Kamplin, the focal point of the profane and sacral life.
The view of the Medieval Krk cannot be imagined without the modest monastic brotherhoods. They found their place at the northern city gate Porta Su, around the today’s Square of the Glagolitic Monks. This is where the Franciscans, the Benedictine nuns and monks and the Poor Clares used to live. Today we know Krk as a touristic place of extraordinary cultural-artistic heritage, and this ancient Splendidisima Civitas Curitarum (the magnificent city of Krk) lives in a beautiful synergy with the rush of the modern age.