“Gradske karte” – Playing Cards of Rijeka

I co-created the design of the “Gradske karte” playing cards together with Nikola Lazić, as part of a project celebrating Rijeka’s rich history and cultural heritage. Recognized as Riječki izvor – the official authentic souvenir of Rijeka – these cards transform the city’s milestones, figures, and inventions into a unique visual storytelling experience.

Each suit symbolizes a different chapter of Rijeka’s past:

– Banknote reflects the city’s 19th-century rise as an industrial and commercial hub, with figures such as Emperor Francis I, Count Laval Nugent, and industrialist Andrija Ljudevit Adamić.
– Torpedo highlights Rijeka as the birthplace of the naval weapon that shaped Austro-Hungarian maritime power, with Robert Whitehead and Ivan Luppis represented among the court cards.
– Heart celebrate the brave women of Rijeka, including Queen Maria Theresa, Baroness Josephina Mollinary Vraniczany, and Karolina Belinić, remembered for saving Rijeka in 1813.
– Quill represents culture and literature, with Franz Joseph, composer Ivan Zajc, and avant-garde poet Janko Polić Kamov closing the historical narrative.

Through illustration and symbolism, the deck serves not only as a functional card game but also as an authentic Rijeka souvenir and an educational medium. It blends play with history, tradition with design, offering both locals and visitors a unique way to connect with the city’s identity.