2024125 Years of the Rijeka Electric Tram - First Day Cover

In the second half of the 19th century, Rijeka began taking on the characteristics of a large port and industrial center. In 1873, a new railway track arriving from Zagreb announced the “golden age” that would last until the outbreak of World War I. With rapid urbanization along the coast, efforts were made to connect the peripheral areas to the city center using carriages and omnibuses. However, despite these efforts, the municipality was increasingly thinking about the introduction of trams as a modern alternative. Therefore, in 1875, an offer from London arrived proposing the introduction of a steam-powered tram. However, the municipality refused the offer. Fifteen years later the topic became relevant again. Consequently, the municipality issued a call for tenders in 1892. Among the received offers, the most interesting one was from Baron Oscar Lazzarini, who suggested the introduction of a horse-drawn tram. The municipality accepted his offer, but soon after it changed the conditions by demanding that the project be adjusted and that the electric tram be introduced immediately. Finally, on 7 November 1899, on a 4-kilometer track from Fiumara to the Torpedo Factory, eight trams set off on their first ceremonial ride from the depot at Školjić. The price of the ticket was 10 soldi and the tram operated from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.