Dubracina - Pauline Bridge

The lower Dubracina separates the old Kastel area from the eastern part of central Crikvenica.

The Pauline Bridge crosses the Dubracina immediately before it reaches the sea and links the Kastel area with the eastern part of the town centre. Its three low arches and stone facing make it appear older than it is and allow it to blend visually with the historic setting around the former monastery.

The present road and pedestrian bridge was built in 1938 to a design by engineer Milivoj Frkovic, who designed several stone and brick bridges in Croatia. It stands almost on the site of earlier crossings over the lower stream, where bridges linked the settlement with the natural harbour at the mouth for centuries.

A plan and view of the Pauline monastery from 1756 already show a multi-arched stone bridge. A statue of St John of Nepomuk, patron saint of bridges, stood nearby; the surviving statue of St John of Nepomuk now forms part of Kastel’s stone heritage. These older depictions help explain why the crossing matters beyond its practical transport role.

The bridge received its present name in 2017 when the town council named it after the Pauline order. It is best viewed from the embankment and riverside path, where all three arches can be seen together with the Church of the Assumption and the mouth opening towards the sea.