The Square of Freedom - Pjaceta

THE UPTOWN CENTRE AND A GATHERING SPOT

The Square of Freedom (Cro. Trg slobode), named Pjaceta (piazzetta) by the locals, has always been the centre of the uptown, located since ancient times at the intersection of the main street heading in the north-south direction (Lat. cardo maximus) and the Upper Street (Cro. Gornja ulica) which exudes peace, spirituality and tranquility, rich in sacral buildings, with less commercial ones.

HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL

In the Middle Ages, Pjaceta was called Katurbo or Platea sv. Tome (The Piazza of St. Thomas), after an Early Christian church at the site of which a Benedictine monastic church of St. Justine was erected in the 16th c., to commemorate the Battle of Lepanto which took place in 1571, in which the inhabitants of Rab contributed significantly to the defence of Europe against the invasion of the Ottomans. At the paved area (plokata) of Katurba, there was the old lodge and granary (fontik) that subsequently, at the beginning of the 16th century, were erected on the small square named Platea Gospi (The square dedicated to Virgin Mary).

THE TREE OF FREEDOM (CRO. DRVO SLOBODE) – A MAGNIFICENT HOLM OAK TREE IS THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM

The magnificent holm oak tree, planted on April 23rd, 1921, the day when the Italian forces that occupied Rab following World War I left the island, is the central feature of the square. The holm oak tree symbolises the vegetation of the island and the foundation of the Rab forest. The name of the island was derived from dark green forests of holm oaks (Arb - meaning dark, black). In addition to this, the wood is used today as firewood and embers for the preparation of delicious grilled and fire-pit cooked dishes. For the inhabitants of Rab, it has got a greater significance as it is the symbol of freedom. Tody, the Tree of freedom is protected as a monument of nature and it has reached over 10 metres with the trunk diameter of 52 cm from the small holm oak tree that was planted there.

The Square can also be seen in the famous image of Rab dating back to the 17th century with the typical Venetian flag base (Cro. Local: štandarac), the wooden pole with the stone base and the flag as the symbols of power.

THE AUTHENTIC MEDITERRANEAN SQUARE WITH THE SOUL

Pjaceta is the favourite gathering spot of the locals and their visitors who are hiding in the shade of the Tree of freedom during hot summer days. Pjaceta offers a beautiful view of the open sea and the city walls and is a must-see spot for taking photos. Besides, the stairway is descending from the square, taking you to the town promenade and the beach.