Art Cinema Croatia (Art-kino Croatia)

Art Cinema Croatia, called Art-kino Croatia locally, is the city's principal arthouse cinema, located at Krešimirova 2 in Rijeka, a short walk from the centre. Rijeka is a port city with a strong industrial and cultural identity, and film has long been part of its social life. The cinema belongs to the city and has been a place for screenings since the early 20th century, when moving pictures were a new attraction in the Adriatic port that was then known as Fiume.

The programme is the main reason to visit. Rather than the latest blockbusters, Art-kino shows a curated mix of independent films from Croatia and abroad, classic titles and retrospectives devoted to directors, countries and movements. Screenings are usually in the original language with subtitles, so visitors with limited Croatian can follow along, and it is wise to check the schedule for the language of each film. The main auditorium is well equipped for modern digital projection and is also able to show film on traditional 35 mm prints, which makes it a rare place to see older works in their original format. A smaller space, called Mini Art-kino, hosts shorter or more specialised screenings.

The cinema is also a social and educational hub. It holds premieres, festivals and meetings with film-makers, and frequent discussions with critics, theorists and directors encourage the audience to talk about what they have seen. There are programmes for children and young people, as well as activities that teach media literacy, and a specialised film library for those who want to read more about cinema. Rijeka has a lively cultural calendar, and Art-kino often works with festivals, museums and other institutions in the city.

A visit fits easily into a day in Rijeka. The Korzo, the main pedestrian street, the Rijeka City Market, the City Clock Tower and the Cathedral of St. Vitus are all close by, and the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Peek & Poke Computer Museum make interesting stops. Trsat Castle, the Petar Družić Stairway, the Rijeka Tunnel and the Molo Longo breakwater show other sides of the city. Evening screenings are a good way to end the day.

Art-kino suits film lovers, students and travellers who want to see how a Croatian city enjoys its culture. Check the programme and ticket details on the cinema's own channels before you go, as schedules change from week to week and screenings in the original language are not always on every day.