Kastav

In the census of 2021, the total population of Kastav was 10,202.^[3]

In the census of 2001, the total municipality population was 8,891, in the following settlements:^[4]

• Brnčići, population 677
• Ćikovići, population 3,089
• Kastav, population 2,037
• Rubeši, population 1,722
• Spinčići, population 876
• Trinajstići, population 490

In the 2011 census, all of the settlements were merged into a single settlement; Kastav, with a total population of 10,265.^[5]

The history of Kastav dates back to prehistoric times, which is borne out by numerous archaeological finds. A valuable archaeological site is the Illyrian necropolis found in the Mišinci karst valley at the foot of the town.^[6] It is where the Iapodes, one of the Illyrian tribes, buried their deceased. Pieces of jewellery, buttons and needle pins were also found.

It is not known for sure how Kastav gained its name. Some claim the name is derived from the Celtic word kast (rock) while others say it is derived from the Latin word castellum (fort, castle).

Valuable monuments preserved to this day witness the medieval liveliness of the Kastav area. Among them are the town's Kaštel, the Municipal Loggia, the Volta (arched doorway), The Parish Church of Saint Jelena Križarica, Lokvina square, the remains of the Crekvina and the Church of the Holy Trinity and a number of ornaments embedded in the nucleus of the town.^[6]

Writings in various books witness the town's rich history. Kastav is mentioned in all the important editions that deal with the history of Croatia as well as in those that deal with the history of this part of Europe.

A 22 December 1939 decision as part of agrarian reforms by Ban Šubašić to confiscate the forest property in Kastav and surroundings of the Thurn and Taxis family, Kálmán Ghyczy and Nikola Petrović resulted in a legal dispute known as the Thurn and Taxis Affair, in part because of the relative status of the family and in part because of the proximity to the Italian border.^[7][8]

The Kastav region has always been known for its high-quality craftsmanship. Even today, the town's economy is marked by small and medium scaled enterprises and just a few larger firms. Besides the fact that those kinds of businesses have good prospects in present day economic conditions, with such an economic structure the Kastav region is preserving its natural and cultural heritage persisting on the development of ecologically acceptable activities in accordance with sustainable development trends.The town of Kastav has signed The Aalbor Charter – a charter for the sustainable development of European cities in the 21st century joining around 400 cities from 35 European countries.

Atelier POTOČNJAK is where the artist Ante Potočnjak exhibits his distinctive works. In 2006, Croatia's president Mr. Stjepan Mesić awarded him the Order of Croatian Danica inscribed with the figure of Marko Marulić for his extraordinary contribution to Croatian culture. Atelier LOKVINA opened on 6 June 2009 as the working space of the painter Saša Jantolek and the ceramic sculptor Mladen Ivančić, whose works are exhibited here throughout the year

Atelier PAVIĆ is the working and exhibiting space of the artist Željan Pavić from Kastav (born in 1952), who graduated in Visual Arts from the Pedagogic Academy in his hometown of Rijeka.

The Cvetković family fashion boutique was founded in the 1970s as the first art space in Kastav.

Yasna Skorup Krneta: Ambient art installation – objects made of metal and discarded items – displayed in the old town of Kastav, in front of Crekvina.

Since the town of Kastav has both rich cultural and architectural heritage and exceptionally attractive landscapes and untouched nature, the tourist board and the town’s government have supported the Let's walk in Loza and Lužina project proposed by The Association of Retired and Elderly Citizens. As a result, with funds provided by The Academy for Educational Development three tracks through Kastav woods of Loza and Lužina were created and opened in 2005 on World Walking Day. Kastav was once both the starting point as well as the destination (depending on the direction from which you start your journey) of the E6 European Walk Way which stretched all the way to Sweden. After Croatia and Slovenia became independent states, the borderline between the two states cut off the authentic walkway which these days ends at the Slovenian port of Kopar. Since it is important to be sound in body and mind the Kastav area does not lag behind when it comes to sports facilities. In addition to the sports hall and ground, Kastav also offers bocce and tennis courts. There are several locations suitable for various types of recreation (yoga, fitness, pilates/medical gymnastics, spinning, zumba, S-faktor, tae-bo, functional mix, body workout, kettlebell workout, basketball, volleyball, handball, karate, five-s-side football etc.)

The local HPS chapter was called HPD "Učka", but it was liquidated on 3 June 1935.^{[9]: 214, 215}