Petar Kružić staircase

Beginning of Petar Kružić staircase. The railway bridge through this staircase and over the Rjecina river was built later than the Petar Kružić staircase.

Petar Kružić staircase, or Petar Kružić stairway, or Trsat stairway (Croatian: Stube Petra Kružića) is the stone staircase in Rijeka (Croatia) that leads from Rijeka to Trsat.

The procession with the icon from Church of Virgin Mary Trsatske to Rijeka. 1715

The staircase starts from the archway at the Eastern Bank of Rjecina river in Rijeka, and leads up to Trsat settlement, which placed on a plateau with altitude of 138 metres from sea level. The staircase consists 561 stone steps and was built for the pilgrims as the road to the Church of the virgin Mary Trsatske in Trsat (Church of Our Lady of Trsat).

Arch in Rijeka as the beginning of Petar Kružić staircase.

Middle part of Petar Kružić staircase.

The construction of the votive staircase was begun in 1531 due to the Croatian hero Krajicek Petar (Petar Kružić), who excelled in the battles with the Turks. Petar Kružić built the lower part of the ladder way leading to the Basilica of Notre-Dame Trsatske, today is Church of Our Lady of Trsat dated 15th century. It is why this staircase was named Petar Kružić staircase.

Later the staircase was extended up to 538 steps.

The entrance archway at the foot of the stairs in the form of a triumphal arch, which was built in the Baroque style dated by the first half of 18th century.

One chapels along this staircase was created in 15th century and another one in 18th century.

References

• Službene stranice Grada Rijeke (24. veljače 2010.)
• Jeanne Oliver, Croatia, pg. 97-98, Lonely Planet Publications, 4th ed. (2007), ISBN 1-74104-475-8

Media related to Trsat Stairway at Wikimedia Commons