The Romanian King Carol and Queen Elizabeth liked to walk through Opatija. During one of their walks along the Učka forest slopes which offer a beautiful view of Opatija and the Kvarner, they got lost. Slightly angry king referred to the county captain, Arthur von Schmidt-Zabierov asking him why the forest paths above Opatija were not marked.
The cunning captain complained that there was not enough money to be able to mark the forest roads so the King Carol gallantly gave money for them to do so. In memory of that generous act, the paths were named after their patron- the forest trail of King Carol. Today the same path is known as Carmen Sylva, after the King’s wife, Queen Elisabeth. The queen was also a poet known under that pseudonym.
Photos by: Studio Kontuš
