Tower of St. Christopher

Rab Island is a green island in the Kvarner Gulf, and its old town stands on a narrow, rocky peninsula that points out into the sea like the prow of a ship. The skyline of Rab is famous for its four slender bell towers, which line up along the ridge and are visible from far away on the water, and the Tower of St. Christopher is the one that belongs to the church of the same name. It rises at the foot of the old town, close to the green lawns of Komrčar Park, and it is the best-known tower for visitors because it can be climbed.

The tower has a long history. Its origins are medieval, in the Romanesque period, and it was rebuilt after damage, probably the result of a lightning strike, in the 15th century, when Rab was under Venetian rule. The top is an eight-sided stone pyramid, and the tower was once also part of the town's defence, serving as a lookout over the harbour and the sea. The church of St. Christopher stands beside it and dates from the 14th century. Christopher, the legendary giant who carried the Christ child across a river, is the patron of travellers, and his church by the shore was a fitting place of prayer for sailors and merchants arriving by sea. Other saints are linked with the town's towers, among them St. Barbara, who is believed to protect against lightning and storms.

Climbing the tower is a highlight of a visit. A steep stair of stone, iron and wood leads up inside to a small balcony, and the climb is narrow and steep, so it is not suitable for anyone who dislikes heights or tight spaces. The reward is a panoramic view of the harbour and the old town, the pattern of red roofs, the other three towers and the Adriatic Sea beyond, with the islands and the mainland coast on the horizon. Sunset is the most popular time, when the stone glows and the sea turns gold. A small fee is usually charged, and opening times vary with the season.

The tower is easy to combine with a stroll through Komrčar Park, with its old trees, benches and paths along the water, and with a walk along the main street of the old town. Beyond the town, Rab's beaches include FKK Kandarola Beach, Rajska Plaža and Suha Punta Beach.

The tower suits history lovers, photographers and families with older children. Go late in the afternoon for the best light.