Trsat Ready for the Assumption: Free Transport Provided
Thousands of pilgrims from Croatia and abroad are expected to visit Croatia's oldest Marian shrine again this year, with the central Mass at 10 a.m. to be led by Rijeka Archbishop Mate Uzinić.
Thousands of pilgrims from Croatia and abroad are expected to visit Croatia's oldest Marian shrine again this year, with the central Mass at 10 a.m. to be led by Rijeka Archbishop Mate Uzinić.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat and the City of Rijeka are ready to welcome the Feast of the Assumption, one of the largest Catholic holidays, which will be celebrated on August 15, 2026, with a rich religious program and the expected arrival of thousands of faithful. At a press conference held on August 11, the Guardian of the Shrine, Fra Dragan Grizelj, invited everyone to come to Trsat and join the celebration, emphasizing that city services are fully prepared for this large public gathering.
"This is a large public gathering for which we are ready, traditionally in cooperation with the City of Rijeka and city services. We believe that the celebration will therefore go smoothly, and that everyone who comes to Trsat that day will have a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the Assumption and encounter God," Fra Grizelj told Novi list, adding that Trsat becomes a crossroads on this feast day for those seeking comfort and those wishing to give thanks for received graces.
The celebration begins with a triduum from August 12 to 14. On the first evening, August 12, the Mass at 6:30 p.m. will be led by Rev. Ivan Vučak, parish priest and guardian of the Shrine in Krašić, while on August 13, the Mass will be presided over by Krk Bishop Ivica Petanjak. On the third day of the triduum, August 14, a vigil Mass will be held at 8:30 p.m., followed by a candlelight procession.
On the feast day itself, Masses in the Shrine's park will be celebrated throughout the day: at 6, 7, 8:30, 10, 11:30 a.m., and at 6:30 p.m. The central Mass, the votive Mass of the Archdiocese of Rijeka and the City of Rijeka, will be led by Rijeka Archbishop Mate Uzinić at 10 a.m. The faithful will be able to go to confession in the Pope John Paul II Hall from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Assunta, the oldest parish in Rijeka, also celebrates its parish feast day. According to parish priest Mons. Sanjin Francetić, the vigil Mass on August 14 at 7 p.m. will be led by Archbishop Uzinić, while on the feast day itself, Masses will be held at 8, 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. The 10 a.m. Mass will be led by police chaplain Fra Dominik Kristijan Gerbic, and the evening Mass by newly ordained priest Matija Luketić.
Due to the expected large number of visitors, the City of Rijeka has introduced a series of measures to avoid traffic congestion. "The City of Rijeka has again this year provided maximum logistical support, from traffic organization to additional facilities and safety measures," said Deputy Mayor Vedran Vivoda for Fiuman.hr.
Temporary traffic regulations begin the day before the feast, on Friday, August 14 at 12 p.m., when Viktor Bubanj Square will be closed to traffic. On the feast day itself, August 15, from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., special regulations are in effect, including a traffic ban at most major intersections in the Trsat area. From 4 p.m., access to the Shrine will be possible only via the Mihanovićeva, Marohnićeva, Drage Šćitara, fra Serafina Schona route. At the same time, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., a tow truck will be on duty to remove improperly parked vehicles.
The municipal company Autotrolej has organized free transport on bus lines 2 and 8, which will operate according to the weekday schedule. "We have also secured seven additional vehicles that we will put into service as needed, operating on the Žabica, Trsat route," said Autotrolej representative Kristina Prijić, appealing to citizens to leave their cars at city parking lots and use public transport.
By decision of Mayor Iva Rinčić, August 15 has been declared a fair day in the Trsat area. Special sales will be held at Viktor Bubanj Square, Slavka Krauzteka Street, Frankopan Square, Petra Zrinskog Street, and in the courtyard of the Youth Hall.
Rijeka plus warns drivers that on the Kumičićeva Street section, at the intersection with Krimeja and Kvaternikova streets, works on water and communal infrastructure are underway as part of the Aglomeracija Rijeka project. Traffic there is alternating in one lane with traffic light regulation.
Fra Dragan Grizelj concluded with a call for spiritual openness: "The message of the Assumption from the Trsat shrine is that we should be open to God and not see evil in others, but God's goodness. Let us come to Trsat and, together with Our Lady of the Assumption, open ourselves to God and all the beauty that God gives."
