The town of Crikvenica is full of romantic spots, all resulting from various projects: the Love Avenue, a Love Trail, the Mediterranean Labyrinth of Love, A Map for Kissing, ‘This is a Good Kissing Spot’ markings… you’d be pressed to find a more appropriate destination for Valentine’s Day.
Novi list talked to Silvia Crnić, head of Department for local self-government, public relations and general affairs in Crikvenica, to find out more about the tourist attractions that are related to love and romance, especially the local favourite ‘Love Avenue’.
According to Crnić, it has been seven years since the Love Avenue project was implemented in Crikvenica, preceded by the initiative ‘Let’s make our town green’ and the project ‘I, too, have my tree’. It’s easy to spot the common denominator – let’s just add that the Croatian name for Love Avenue, Drvored ljubavi, specifically refers to a tree-lined walkway.
‘The idea was for all entrepreneurs in Crikvenica, as well as everyone involved with our town due to business or any other reason, to contribute and enhance the urban space in Crikvenica. We offered entrepreneurs the option to participate in the greening of our town’s wider area, which they did by ‘adopting’ trees and co-financing their procurement. In return, a plaque was installed next to each tree, engraved with the name of the company which participated in the project’, said Crnić.
The initiative continued to grow, and the Love Avenue project soon followed. Instead of entrepreneurs, trees are being adopted by people from many placed and of all backgrounds, as an expression of love and a gesture intended for their romantic partners or another person they care for.
‘The trees have thus been recognised as a special and unique gift for Valentine’s day, a gift unlike the commercial presents we’re used to and which most of us are inclined to buy. The interest of the public grew with each passing year, this year being the most successful so far. The trees that will be planted next to the Dubračina promenade in spring were sold out in record time. Thirty new trees will be planted there, and overall, more than 110 trees were planted in several locations over the last seven years’, said Crnić.
The utility company Eko Murvica is tasked with the planting, and their experts are known to recommend specific sorts of trees that would be the best choice for each given location, in regards to the microclimate and other conditions.
It’s not just the locals that are adopting trees in Crikvenica. The offer is extended to anyone looking to participate, and there have been people from other parts of Croatia – and abroad – who have left their mark in this lovely town.
Trees can be ‘adopted’ at a price of 300 kuna, and as we already mentioned, you’ll get a chance to have a special message engraved in a metal plaque that will be installed next to your tree. People typically go with names only – such is the case with one of the trees that says ‘Boris + Ivana’ – but there are also lyrics, lines from poems and other touching and emotional quotes.
‘Overall, we’ve created a lovely, special story. We’re overjoyed by the fact that we enhanced the public space in Crikvenica by planting more trees, but it has to be said that this is not just about 110 adopted trees, but also 110 wonderful personal stories that are related to Crikvenica in one way or another’, said Crnić, adding that the owners can come visit their trees anytime.
