Zagreb, Croatia

Home
Verona and Venice
Ljubljana
Zagreb
Split
Dubrovnik
Bratislava
Vienna
Budapest (Pest)
Budapest (Buda)

 

      

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is the seat of government and administration and the heart of the scientific, research and industrial economy. It is known for its quality of living, sporting and entertainment events, and its museums, of which there are 40.

With a population of nearly 900,000 people, Zagreb  was the second-largest city in the former Yugoslavia. It is the center of most of Croatia’s industry, as well as the country’s political and intellectual capital.

The Zagreb Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary includes the The Holy Mary Monument with its 4 golden angels.

Urban development flourished between the earthquake of 1880 and the outbreak of WW I,  with the building of tramlines, gasworks, a grid street layout, multi-story attached housing, and planned parkland.

The pretty Art Pavilion is located in  Park Zrinjevak. Surrounding the park are other beautiful public buiding such as the Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Courthouse.

Zagreb's old town consists of two medieval settlements, Gradec (Fortress) encircled by walls that were built to defend against the Mongols in the 13th Century, and Kaptol, the ecclesiastical settlement which was fortified in the 16th Century.

Tkalčićeva and Radićeva Streets are lovely pedestrian zones lined with cafes, restaurants, and small shops housed in colorful  historical buildings.

A short and steep funicular railway constructed in 1888 connects the Upper and Lower Towns.

The Strossmayer Promenade offers a view across red-tile roofs towards the cathedral and modern skyscrapers.

Gornji Grad (Upper Town) is the historic district emcompassing medieval hilltop settlements laced with delightful lanes and courtyards.

 

St. Mark’s Square, home of the Croatian Parliament, houses St. Mark’s Church, which dates back to the 13th century and features a fantastic tiled roof with the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia.

The Croatian Museum of Naive Art features artworks of the unique 20th century Croatian naive art genre.

The quirky Museum of Broken Relationships features donations from around the world of the mementoes left over after a relationship ends.

Croatian naive art has stylized rural scenes.

    

Traditional Croatian dress has ornate embroidery.

Traditional Croatian handicrafts include wooden toys and puppets.
 

Zagreb's most famous street art, Anamorphosis, gracing the facade of the abandoned Galerija Gradec building, is a 3D work by French artist Etien.

For the past 7 years, Zagreb has been embracing street art. Entire blocks are filled with murals.

Croatia has a well-educated and entrepreneurial populace. It is a leader in transportation technology, especially electric cars. 

Jelačić Square is the heart of Zagreb. On the weekend we were there, there was a food festival, an artisans' market and a vegetarian fair.

Home | Verona and Venice | Ljubljana | Zagreb | Split | Dubrovnik | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest (Pest) | Budapest (Buda)

This site was last updated 07/15/23