Zagreb – attractions which you must see
The atmospheric old town, elegant 1th century city centre, multitude of historic monuments and museums, good gastronomy and flourishing cultural life will make your city break in Zagreb a unique and memorable experience. You have not had an opportunity to see the Croatian capital yet? Pop in for a few days and see how interesting the city is!
Unknown pearl
The capital of Croatia is among the most underestimated pearls of that country. With competitors like Rovinj, Split and Dubrovnik, it is often given a miss by tourists. Shame, because Zagreb's attractions are truly exceptional and will surely amaze you. Start from the vast and bustling Ban Jelačić Square, the city's central point. It is a real meeting place of the city. Vibrating with life all day and night long, this is where people stop by for coffee on their way to work, for lung during work, and for a drink with friends in the evening. Your attention will surely be attracted by the elegant townhouses and the equestrian statue of Josip Jelačić, a Croatian national hero who became particularly famous during the Spring of Nations in 1848−1849.
Zagreb – attractions which you must see
Above the square, on gentle hills, there is the city's old town called Upper Town. Its narrow atmospheric alleys meander upwards and are packed with historic monuments dating back to the Middle Ages. The Upper Town is divided into the secular Gradec, where the state authorities are headquartered, and more ecclesiastical Kaptol concentrated around the 11th century cathedral. Sadly, the cathedral was severely damaged during an earthquake that struck Zagreb in 1880 and was later rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style. Take your time and get off the beaten tracks. Just roam the charming corners, coming across precious attractions of Zagreb every step you take. Among them, you should certainly notice the Church of St. Mark with a unique roof on which the coat of arms of Zagreb (the one on the right) and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia have been arranged from colourful tiles. Have a closer look at the Croatian Parliament building near the church, and the seat of the Croatian government and Prime Minister opposite. You can get to the square where these objects are located on foot, but you can also take the funicular that connects the Lower and Upper Towns, the so-called Uspinjača, which was opened in 1890. A 66 metre ride will take you little over a minute. If you like arts, particularly contemporary sculpture, visit the sturio of Ivan Meštrović, an outstanding Croatian artist whose became internationally famous.
Vienna-style elegance
You must see the city centre. Delineated in the Austro-Hungarian era, it amazes visitors with its elegance that is typical of the 19th century Vienna. The so-called Lower Town is situated on flat ground, which makes it spacious and divided into regularly shaped urban building complexes concentrated around tree-lined squares. The seven largest ones form the so-called horseshoe. Impressive townhouses, vast parks and well-tended green are a hallmark of this part of the city. You will be most captivated by Zrinjevac, lined by several rows of very old and wide-spreading plane trees brought from Triest. The park is adorned with fountains and numerous sculptures that present prominent figures from Croatian history and culture, and a musical pavilion built in the late 19th century. Everything is surrounded by impressive edifices of the Supreme Court, the Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and the Voivodship Court; further away there are the railway station, the Art Pavilion, which was built for the millennium exhibition in Budapest, and Croatian National Theatre, which at first glance looks like the Słowacki Theatre in Kraków or the Opera House in Lviv – not surprisingly though, as it was designed by the same tandem of architects. Don't forget to visit the Mimara Museum with its precious collections from all over the world.
Grand finale
At the end your city break in Zagreb, you must go to the eastern part of the city, where there is the Maksimir Park. established in the last decade of the 18th century, it is said to be the first such place in this part of Europe. In 1925, its fragment was converted into a city zoo. Opposite the park there is the football stadium of Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian national team. If you are a fan of the fantastic Croatian national squad, the site will certainly bring some positive emotions.
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