The author delivers a general history of the Abbey of St James, from its beginnings in the Middle Ages up to contemporary times. Based on the information from the relevant historiographical literature, the author emphasizes discussion about the time and reasons when Benedictines have left the Abbey, as well as the importance of Augustinians in the period between the mid-sixteenth and mid-eighteenth centuries. Analysis of the relevant literature and archival unpublished sources enabled the author to propose answers to some up-to-now unanswered questions regarding the history of the Abbey after which is named Town of Opatija. From the eighteenth century, this Abbey was organizationally subjected to the Jesuit College in Rijeka, and later to the archdeacon of Collegiate Chapter at Rijeka. After the Diocese of Rijeka was founded the title of the abbot of St James became a part of the title of the Bishop of Rijeka.