Right in the heart of Rijeka, standing proudly in the middle of the famous Korzo promenade, the City Tower with its clock is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. This isn't a mountain peak or a forest trail — it's an urban landmark that adds a touch of history and old-town charm to any trip through the Kvarner mountains.

The tower once served as the main gateway into the fortified old town, and for centuries locals arranged their meetings sotto la torre, right beneath it. Strolling along Korzo, it's worth pausing to look up: the facade displays coats of arms, inscriptions honoring Habsburg emperors, and a replica of Rijeka's double-headed eagle sculpture perched atop the dome at around 30 meters high. In the evening, as the lights of Korzo switch on, the tower takes on a especially cozy, atmospheric charm.

• Rijeka city center — a short walk along Korzo, just minutes from the port and train station, easy, accessible to everyone
• From Ignazija Henckea street — direct approach to the tower, easy, a few minutes on foot

• The current clock mechanism dates from 1873 and once displayed Vienna time
• The dome and historicist decoration date from the 1890 renovation by architect Filibert Bazarig
• A replica of Rijeka's double-headed eagle sculpture was installed on the dome on 19 April 2017

Fun fact: the original eagle sculpture lost one of its heads after World War I, when Italian soldiers altered it to resemble a Roman rather than an Austrian eagle, and it was completely removed after World War II — today's faithful replica weighs about 270 kilograms.