Rab has a rich history with many historical figures. Settled by Illyrians in 350BC, Rab became an ancient Roman municipality in the 1st century BC and developed into a center of the eastern coast of Adriatic, called Felix Arba ( Arb is Illyric for dark, lush). Its glory days began between the second half of the XI. century all the way to the XIII century, when it was governed by the Croatian rulers, as well as members of the Venetian republic in a form of a free Adriatic comune. It was later sold to Venice in the 15th century and remained in their rule all the way to 1798. when Napoleon came to these parts.
Among the fun facts is the story of the local stonemason, St. Marino, who moved to the Apennine peninsula to start the Republic of San Marino in the 4th century. He is the saint patron of Lopar and very important to locals.

Many churches and town squares on the island of Rab have not changed their primary role as the center of cultural living since the Roman days. Every summer you can experience all kinds of happenings on the streets of Rab, from concerts presenting eminent Croatian and international musicians, to open art ateliers and street exhibitions, creating a special vibrant atmosphere.
If you can, we recommend seeing Rab Nautic Passion, a showcase of local shipbuilding, then Križi, traditional pilgrimage started after the two outbreaks of plague in the 15th century. Then there are knight tournaments during the Medieval Summer Festival Rabska Fjera and Eko Šetimana (roughly translates as Eko Week) where local growers and producers present their crops and homemade foods.