Opatija - Park Margarita

The Margarita Park is the third oldest park in Opatija, and the second largest park in Opatija. It was founded around the year 1900. It was declared a protected monument of park architecture in the year 1968.
The park is located in the north-western part of Opatija, above Slatina, and behind the hotel Opatija. According to the date from 1915, the central part has been spatially preserved in its entirety; the devastations happened in the garden's fringe parts due to various reconstructions and extensions of the adjoining buildings. By the looks of certain plants (Judas tree, oak tree, bearberry etc.) it could be said it is older than the Angiolina Park, but the reason for this is likely due the fact that during its foundation more, already existing, plants had been preserved. The Margarita Park consists of 22 land plots. Since its foundation until today, the natural forest of Downy oak and laurel has been the one preserved to the greatest extent. The sub-zone is dominated by different types of cedars, pines, palms, cypresses and magnolias. There are 48 preserved types of plants. From the exclusive plants, here we find Californian cedar, Ginkgo biloba, giant sequoia, bamboo, coastal mamutovac and others. The Margarita Park was formed as a private corner inviting walkers to enjoy the abundance of plant species and into the peace of the park. It has no architectural elements since it was conceptualised as a contemplative area, with a web of staircases and pathways. The relation between the high trees and the grass plane framing the park is quite noteworthy.
Its position protects if from winds. In the central part of the Margarita Park, the vegetation cover is more open, while laurel, together with other excotic and decorative plants, densely covers the ground.