The history of the island Krk reaches back into the prehistorical period. Numerous nations, indigenous inhabitants and strangers shaped its history, starting with the Liburni, the Romans, the Slavs, the Franks, the Venetians, the Habsburgs, all until the modern age. The city was founded on ancient foundations (Platea Antiqua, Thermae, mosaic in the tavern Mate, Temple of Venus and the city walls), which through hundreds of years of changes obtained a cover of medieval walls and a new city infrastructure still extending along the regular Roman city raster (cado and decumanus). The change in the city view was determined by two main features; one purely stylistic, brought by changes in the way of building, which followed European artistic tendencies, while the other came along with the Christianisation and placing importance on sacral architecture around which the city centre formed.

The feature with which the city of Krk entices people is its representative medieval heritage. It emerged during the Venetian domination in this area. This was the age of the Krk princes Frankopan, who managed to remain in Krk owing to their skilful policy towards the Laguna. The Frankopan castle has been preserved almost as it was, in the very heart of the city on the square Kamplin. Kamplin represented the focal point of both the profane and sacral life, as its western side is enclosed by the Krk cathedral and the church of St Kvirin, beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture, with the second being an exception, owing to its two floors. Besides the valuable Romanesque shell, these structures were refined by a rich inventory for centuries, mostly Venetian. Therefore, it is no wonder we can find valuable painting and sculpture works, the works of masters across the sea; paintings by Andrea Vicentino, Paolo Veneziano, Nicola Grassi, or sculptures by the Michelazzi workshop.

The view of the medieval Krk would be impossible without the modest monastic brotherhoods. They found their place near the north city gate Porta Su, around the today’s Glagolitics Square. The Franciscans, the Benedictine monks and nuns and the Poor Clares once lived in this quite prominent place. The Franciscan monastery and the Benedictine nunnery have been preserved and are still in function, while only the church of St Our Lady of Health remained of the former Benedictine monastery and the Poor Clares nunnery was completely ruined.

Today we know Krk as a tourist place of extreme cultural and artistic heritage, where the ancient Splendidisima Civitas Curitarum (glorious city of the people of Krk) lives in a wonderful synergy with the busy nature of the modern age.