Kastav

Kastav ( _it. Castua) is a small historical Croatian town, located about 10 km northwest of Rijeka and about 5 km northeast of Opatija in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Built on an isolated hill 378 meters above sea level, it has population of 2,037, with a total of 8,891 residents in the municipality (census 2001). Its historic center, many parks and big forest are attractive to foreign visitors and hikers. The historic walled town contains a church dating from the 13th century which hosts an international music festival each summer.

Because of its unusual but good position Kastav has really hot summers and very cold winters; during the summer temperatures can rise to 37°C, sometimes even more. In summer evenings Kastav wood is crowded with walkers who come for the fresh air in wood and of sport, athletes who have their summer break but want stay in good shape. In winter one of the first places in the Kvarner region that will become white with snow is Kastav.

Industry in Kastav isn't developed because citizens of Kastav are focused on work in nearby Rijeka and Opatija, but still there are private stores and companies lead by well situated people. Estates in Kastav are very worthy because of its excellent position for living and magnificent views of Kvarner and the many islands in the Kvarner region. With faster access from Croatia to the European Union, interests in estates in that part of Croatia is growing. Also capital from companies abroad has already started coming into the city, and the most likely prediction is that Kastav will have 20,000 citizens in 2012 and will be much bigger than domestic people are used to.

Sport and recreation in Kastav are well known in Croatia and in countries nearby like Slovenia and Italy.

Kastav has successful sports teams in volleyball, handball, indoor-soccer and, most successfully, basketball. Croatia has many good basketball players which came from that little city like Egon Stanic. In near future Kastav will get a new ultra-modern sport-gym.