The oldest traces of man´s presence in the Rijeka region of today date back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages, while the ruins of the prehistoric hill-forts (Solin overlooking Martinscica, the Trsat Hill and Veli Vrh - Gradisce overlooking the Rjecina River) date back to the bronze and iron ages. Such a settlement dominated the Rijeka Bay and secured the port in the time of the Illyrian tribes (Liburnia) as well. The Romans relocated the town center closer to the sea, on the right bank of the mouth of the Rijecina River into the Adriatic Sea, on the site of today´s Old Town.

The creator John Luppis and technical realizers Robert Whitehead in Rijeka 1866th  created  a torpedo, a weapon that has changed this notion of warfare at sea. Advanced technical innovations, high profits and magnificent buildings, turned the river at that time in the cosmopolitan city center and recognizable on the world map.

Apart from the first tornado river is known for MORČIĆ - what coins are in China on a red ribbon, an elephant with a raised trunk or laughing Buddha in India, in the words represent a black man with a white turban, which is due to the popularity in all social strata accepted as Rijeka souvenir. The Origin of Moretto told many stories, spjevane folk songs and legends, including the two most famous. The first legend dating back to the 16th century when the Turks camped on Grobničko field, threatening attack of the Nile. Precious Zrinski with Citadels Deer shot with arrow that struck the Turkish pasha in his temple, after which the army was scattered from him. Over time, and the siege of citizens have, raising his eyes to heaven and prayed that rocks from the sky kill the Turks. That is exactly what happened because of their escape, zatrpavši Turks to the door. So the rest of the field only their turbans. As a memento of the event citizens have their wives earrings in the shape of their heads covered with a turban. Another legend that dates back to the peninsula suggests that an Italian countess had a black maid whom she dearly loved. Donated her freedom and her memory had earrings with her ​​character.