Rječina

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Rječina (Italian: Fiumara) is a river in Croatia which flows in the Adriatic Sea in the city of Rijeka (Fiume).

It is about 19 km long, with average width of 9 - 16 m. It springs from the cave on the height of 325m above sea level, under high cliff of Kičej hill (606 m above sea level). Until 1870. the river's spring was under the next by hill called Podjavorje, but it collapsed in earthquake near village Klana. The most noticeable confluents are Sušica, Lužac, Zala, Zahumčica, Golubinka, Ričinica i Borovšćica but they are mostly dry through the year. In 1968 a dam was built for the needs of hydroelectric power plant, and lake Valići came to existence, but the same name village seized to exist. Rječina flows through the canyon almost half of her lengh. In Rijeka, the river branches in two parts: Mrtvi kanal (the old basin) and the new canal which was made in 19th century when Mrtvi kanal was used as a harbour. Of sights, the most famous is Gaspar's watermill (Gašparov mlin) in Martinovo Selo which was renewed in 90s. Of fauna the most noticeable are trout and river crabs.

[edit] Border

During history this river has been many times border between different states. First time this has happen between XIII and XVI century when it formed the border between Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen and Habsburgs. Similar thing has happened in 1868 when Rječina became border between Croatian and Hungarian part of Austro-Hungary. After World War I it became for a very short time the border between Free State of Fiume and Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. After Free State of Fiume was annexed by Italy, Rječina became border river of this country. After World War II Rječina was no longer a border between states.