City of Zagreb

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Upper Town

Kaptol and Gradec – two settlements that lived side by side for centuries, and in 1850 they united into the Royal City of Zagreb, which gave rise to the city as we know it today. Kaptol and Gradec are home to several cultural and historical monuments, tourist attractions, museums and galleries.

Neither Kaptol nor Gradec are ghost towns, people live, shop, drink coffee, go out and have fun around them and in them. On Kaptol you will see the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as most people know it - the Zagreb Cathedral, with its two recognizable neo-Gothic towers that form a well-known view of the city. Just a few steps from the Cathedral you will come across Dolac - “the belly of Zagreb” - the central city market, one of the most beautiful postcards of the city, enjoyed by both Zagreb residents and their guests, full of scents and colors, fruits and vegetables, sellers and buyers whether summer or winter. When you get tired of shopping, join us for a coffee at Tkalčićeva. Tkalča, as it is affectionately called, is the right place to socialize, watch passersby and relax. If we go up Radićeva Street, we will reach Kamenite vrata, the shrine of the Mother of God of Kamenite vrata – the patron saint of Zagreb, where candles are always burning, and thanksgivings on marble tiles adorn the walls. Through Kamenite vrata we enter Gradec, and along Kamenite vrata we climb to St. Mark's Square, which has been the center of life in Gradec since ancient times, and today is the administrative center of Croatia because it is where the Croatian Parliament and the Ban's Palace are located. The square is dominated by St. Mark's Church and its roof made of glazed tiles with the coat of arms of the Tripartite Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia on the left and the coat of arms of the city of Zagreb on the right side of the roof – one of the recognizable symbols of the city. From Gradec we descend by funicular that began operating more than a century ago. We end our visit to Kaptol and Gradec with a short but sweet ride.

Lower Town

Ban J. Jelačić Square

Ban Josip Jelaćić Square (Governor Jelačić Square), or simply The Square, is the main square in Zagreb and a meeting point for locals, as well as tourists. The Square is marked by the equestrian statue of Governor J. Jelačić and many people, visitors and young locals, will take a seat at the bottom of it.

The Green horseshoe

The Green horseshoe (the "green heart of Zagreb") consists of several square- parks and is an area of lush greenery in the city centre. Its name comes from a distinct U shape that can be seen on the map of Zagreb. These square- parks in Donji Grad (Lower Town) became part of Zagreb's urban plan at the end of 19th and beginning of the 20th ct. and are surrounded by historical buildings, many of which house various museums and galleries. The southern part is entirely comprised of the wonderful Botanical gardens- it extends on a surface of around 4.7 ha and has ten thousand plant species from Croatia and the whole world including some endangered ones.

A short hop away from the city centre

Mirogoj

Mirogoj Cemetery is considered to be one of the most beautiful cemetery parks in Europe. It is not only a burial place but also a beautiful park and open art gallery. The well-known architect Herman Bollé designed the shape of the cemetery, applying a monumental composition of arcades, pavilions and domes, intermingled with rich vegetation, and adding a gallery of sculptures by Croatian The cemetery inters members of all religious groups: Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Latter Day Saints and irreligious graves can all be found. In the arcades are the last resting places of many famous Croats.