Why Zagreb is Croatia’s Most Captivating Destination for Culture Lovers
Zagreb is the main city of Croatia, both in size and in number of inhabitants (around 800,000), as well as the capital of the country. Its history has its roots in remote and prehistoric times, while traces of Roman settlements are still visible today.
Only during the Middle Ages did the city emerge in a more modern sense. The first traces in the city territory were found on the Gradec Hill, but it is indisputable that the first official appearance of Zagreb in history dates back to 1094, the year of the foundation of the diocese by the King of Hungary, the construction of the Cathedral and the settlement on Kaptol Hill.
Gradec has seen many events, some of them painful, such as the invasion of the Tartars in 1242, but otherwise Zagreb, which took this name in the 16th century, has experienced a history made of trade exchanges thanks to its strategic position, being on the border of the Ottoman expansion, but remaining under the protective wing of the Habsburg Empire.
The great economic, political, and cultural development of Zagreb began only in the 19th century, when the first theatre (1834) and the first university (1874) were founded and the Austrian influence shaped the structure of the city as we can still admire it today in its most solemn features.
The twentieth century saw Zagreb first as the capital of the Independent State of Croatia (during World War II) and later of the Socialist Republic of Croatia, obviously as part of the Yugoslav federation.
Zagreb’s Role in Modern Croatia
In 1991, with the collapse of Yugoslavia and the subsequent proclamation of Croatian independence, the city of Zagreb became a separate region within the country, along the lines of other world capitals, such as Washington DC or Mexico City.
What to See
Following the resolution of the conflicts in the Balkans during the 1990s, Zagreb emerged as a premier tourist destination. A visit to the city today should encompass the three historical nuclei: Gornji Grad, Kaptol, and Donji Grad, where you will find the central reference square, Bana Jelačića (Jelačić Square, in Croatian).
Upper Town (Gornji Grad)
Begin your exploration of Upper Town at the main square and follow Radićeva Street until you arrive at Upper Town, a district commonly referred to as Gradec. The medieval center is encircled by fortification walls from the 13th century. Given the steep nature of the route, individuals seeking a less strenuous option can take advantage of the convenient funicular “uspinjača.” The visit features the Markov Square, a lovely square encircled by modest yet graceful buildings, the Church of St. Mark (Holy Mark’s Cross), and the Banski dvori (Ban’s Palace), a Baroque structure that currently serves as the seat of the Croatian government. Be sure to visit the Cathedral of the Assumption.
In Gradec, one should not miss the opportunity to visit the Croatian Museum of Naive Art, or to stroll around Katarina Square (Katarinin trg), as well as visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Dverce Palace, and the Lotrščak Tower.
At the Strossmayer Promenade, where a statue of the poet A.G. Matoš invites you to sit next to it, photography enthusiasts can enjoy a fantastic view of the city. Before going down, those who still have time can visit the Natural History Museum, the Zagreb City Museum, the Dolac Market, and the Astronomical Observatory.
Kaptol
Kaptol is a hill northeast of Trg bana Jelačića and can be reached by following Bakaceva Street. You enter the oldest part of the city of Zagreb, where the Cathedral with its magnificent spires is located. Opatovina Park extends alongside the western walls of Kaptol; in the northwest corner of the park, you can see the Prišlin Tower, once part of a private residence.
The Dolac area is today the main open market, and not far away is Tkalčićeva Street, famous for its many bars and cafes that are always very busy.
Donji Grad (Lower Town)
Donji Grad, or the Lower Town, is located south of Kaptol and Gradec. Donji Grad is famous for its main square, Trg bana Jelačića, and for its numerous squares with three-story buildings, fountains, and well-kept parks. This is the urban layout called “Lenucijeva podkova” or “Lenuci’s Horseshoe”, an architectural itinerary with a U-shaped route by the architect Milan Lenuci, which however remained unfinished. Try to follow it by visiting Zrinjevac Square, the Music Pavilion, the Archaeological Museum (which houses the famous Vučedol Dove), the Strossmayer Gallery, the Modern Gallery, the Cabinet of Graphic Art, and the Art Pavilion.
Don’t miss Trg maršala Tita (Marshal Tito Square), dominated by the neo-Baroque Croatian National Theatre. Also worth a visit are Trg Tomislav and Starčević Square, where the Botanical Garden is located. Not far away is Marulić Square with its impressive building of the Croatian National Library and Archives, which is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Secessionist architecture in Zagreb. To the north, not far from Tito Square, are Roosevelt Square and the Mimara Museum, the capital’s main cultural space, which houses paintings by the greatest artists of the past centuries, from Goya to Rembrandt.
Parks and Surrounding Areas
Finally, we would like to point out the most important city parks: to the north of the centre, we find the famous Maksimir Park, while to the north extends the vast Bundek Park.
Medvedgrad is a fortified town located within the Medvednica park, north of the city. The park, whose highest peak is Mount Sljeme (1035 meters above sea level), is home to numerous hiking trails and is also a popular ski area in winter. Medvedgrad Castle, built around 1250, is certainly one of the largest and most impressive examples of fortified towns in Croatia.
In the surrounding area, two other medieval villages worth a visit are Okic, dating back to the 12th century, and Samobor.
Samobor, in particular, is a small town located in the fertile valley of the Sava River. It is a true museum town. Every house, square, and street tells its own story. The ruins of the medieval town above the present municipality bear witness to its rich history. There are usually numerous exhibitions held in the Town Museum. Samobor is the most developed tourist resort in the Zagreb County and a favorite destination for many residents of the capital. Its food products are famous throughout the country, as are its attractive summer festivals and Carnival. Not far from the town, you can visit the Grgos Cave and the old iron, tin, and chalk mines in Rude.
Other historical testimonies of the fascinating local past can be found in the region of Hrvatsko Zagorje; one of them is the village of Krapina.
Krapina is a picturesque town, which in medieval times was fortified. In the 14th century, it became a place of free royal trade. Krapina is best known for its prehistoric Neanderthal finds, discovered by Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger in 1899 in the Hušnjakovo cave on the hill. Today, in front of the cave, there is a prehistoric reconstruction with life-size men and animals. The permanent exhibition is located in the premises of the Museum of Prehistoric Man. The birthplace of Ljudevit Gaj can also be visited in the city.
Events and Demonstrations
In late July, Zagreb hosts the renowned International Folklore Festival (Međunarodna Smotra Folklora), drawing many folklore groups from Croatia and beyond. The event, founded in 1966, marks its 50th anniversary in 2016. As Advent approaches and the year comes to a close, be sure to explore the traditional Christmas markets scattered throughout the city.
Climate
From a meteorological point of view, Zagreb has typically continental characteristics, common to many areas of Central Europe, where cold and relatively drier air prevail in winter, while in summer the heat and humidity are felt throughout the city. The rainiest periods are concentrated in late spring and autumn.
When to Go
The highest temperatures are usually reached in July, with average highs around 26°C, but record values of up to 40°C have been recorded. Summer night lows drop to values around 14-15°C. In winter, snow is often present, with average negative temperatures in January, when minimums of -4 / -5°C are reached, but it is not uncommon to see the column drop to -10°C. The city’s negative record is a very respectable -27°C.
How to Get There
To get to Zagreb from Italy with your own car, one generally follows the E70 route from Venice, then continues on the A34 towards Gorizia, from where, once you enter Slovenia, you continue on the E61 to Ljubljana and then further on the A2 to Zagreb. For those coming from the center-south, a mixed solution with a ferry from Ancona or Pescara, landing at Zara or Split, and then going up to Zagreb may be ideal.
If you prefer to travel by plane, you can use the Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport, connected by direct flights with Italy only to Milan Malpensa.
Finally, we point out that the distances between Zagreb and some of the main European cities are the following: Vienna 370 km, Budapest 345 km, Milan 672 km, Trieste 232 km, Prague 645 km, and Berlin 1000 km.
