Tunera in Bakar

The Tunera in Bakar recalls a time when Bakar Bay was one of the most important centres of tuna fishing in the Adriatic. If you have booked accommodation in Bakar, take a walk along the waterfront and discover this fascinating chapter of the town's maritime history. The traditional tuna lookouts remind us of a time when fishermen needed an intimate knowledge of fish movements, winds and the sea, and when a successful catch depended on teamwork and a well-timed signal from the lookout. Today, this tradition remains an important part of Bakar's identity, and the reconstructed tunera is one of the town's most unusual landmarks. Imagine a fisherman climbing a tall wooden lookout tower, scanning the surface of the sea and waiting for a school of tuna to enter the bay. His signal would set the entire fishing crew into action, closing their nets around the fish. For centuries, this method of fishing provided an important source of income for the people of Bakar and the surrounding settlements. Tuna fishing was so profitable that fishing rights were once held by the noble Zrinski and Frankopan families. There were ten tuna fishing stations in Bakar Bay, the last of which ceased operating in the second half of the 20th century. Today, at Žal ribara, in front of St Margaret's Church, you can see a reconstructed wooden lookout standing on the historic site of a former tuna fishing station. Nearby, in Banj Park, the educational exhibition Mreže sjećanja (Nets of Memory) reveals how this remarkable fishing technique worked. The Tunera in Bakar is also a test of courage. If you're brave enough, climb the same steps once used by tuna fishermen. Your reward will be a spectacular view of Bakar Bay and the satisfying feeling of having pushed beyond your own limits.