Travel Guides: Zagreb

Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. The city’s population is 973,667 inhabitants (1,609,525 in the metropolitan area). It is situated on the Medvednica Mountain and Sava River at 120 meters altitude. Its favorable geographical location in the south-west of the Pannonian Basin, which extends to the Alpine, Dinaric, Adriatic and Pannonian regions, offers the best traffic connection between Central Europe and the Adriatic.

Position in traffic, industrial concentration (metal working, electricity, textile, chemical, pharmaceutical, printing and leather, wood, paper, etc.), its scientific institutions and industrial tradition highlights the leading economic position. The city is relatively prosperous by the standards of Eastern Europe, although average incomes and prices are lower than in the west. In Zagreb are the central administrative institutions of the state (legislative, judicial, executive, monetary, defense, health, cultural, educational).

Zagreb, Croatia’s capital is a city that appeared on the map of Europe 1,000 years ago. Today, the metropolis on Mount Medevnica is one of the most bohemian holiday destinations in Europe. Zagreb is not a big city. With only one million inhabitants, the economic and cultural center of Croatia is a hot spot on the world tourism map. Zagreb is an oasis of tranquility and colors. It is a relaxed and relaxing city with much history and culture, but also with a wealth of leisure in a young and temperamental way.

Croatia has managed, in just a few years, to wow the European tourism with a spectacular renaissance. A country which has been gray for many centuries, has invested in tourism and managed, in just a few years, to be one of the most hunted destinations in the world. Zagreb does not have the shine and the fame of other famous European cities and metropolitan areas. It has no fast or celebrity. It has three cities in one, an impressive medieval fortress, the oldest park in Europe and a lot of fans who return year after year. (Old Town, Down Town and New Zagreb)

The capital of Croatia is divided into three distinct areas: Old Town, also known as Upper Town, is the most tourist part of Zagreb. Some buildings have a considerable experience, given that urban congestion was attested first here since 1094. Old Town’s main attraction is represented by a lot of old streets lighted by gas lamps. The atmosphere takes you easily into the medieval period, when the city enjoyed certain popularity in the circles of European aristocracy.

Zagreb Cathedral

Here are found most of the city’s museums, as well as one of the oldest churches in Croatia: St. Mark’s Church. Also in Old Town you can visit the Parliament building, St. Michael Church and the Stone Gate, which dates from the thirteenth century. Lower Town is dedicated specifically to baroque architectural style of the nineteenth century. Here, tourists can stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and stop at one of the many restaurants, bars and cafes.

National Theatre, St. Mimara Museum, Dolac outdoor market, Ban Jelacic Square are just a few attractions of the city. New Town or New Zagreb is the city of skyscrapers. Here, modernity has reached the highest points and tumult rushed pace of life is specific to large cities. In the New Zagreb are the most important commercial centers. Thus, the Croatians are proud of the empty pockets of a few cheap malls tourists.

If you arrive in Zagreb, do not miss the Botanical Gardens and no nightclubs. Croatian restaurants recognized as a major attraction because of the rich and diverse cuisine. But the most important thing is to not underestimate the value of quiet walks along the banks of the Sava and the alleys that surround the Lake Jarun – located in downtown. Wandering the crooked streets of Old Town is recommended. Classical Architecture, Neo-Baroque and Baroque the city it will surprise you in a pleasant manner as possible.

View Of Zagreb

The climate is continental with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and dry, cold winters. The average temperature in winter is 1 degree C and in summer 20 degrees C. At the end of May, in particular, is hot, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C. Snow is common in winter months from December to in March, and rain and fog in October and December.

All periods of Zagreb’s history have left traces on the architecture of sacred monuments, of streets, parks, gardens. University of Zagreb is the oldest institution of its kind in Southeastern Europe. There are many museums: the Museum of Archaeology, Croatian Natural History Museum, Technical Museum, Zagreb City Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Museum of Naïve Art (considered to be the first of its kind in the world), Museum of Contemporary Art.

Zagreb hosts many cultural events: Animafest (international festival of animated film), avant-garde music festival, Floraart (famous flower exhibition), week of contemporary dance, Eurokaz (Contemporary Theatre Festival), pop music festival. Many of the Zagreb restaurants offer various national culinary specialties. Traditional products contain turkey, duck or goose mlinci (a kind of pasta), strukli, sir i vrhnje, and orahnajaca kremsnite.

Zagreb

Zagreb International Airport Pleso is located 14 km south. Zagreb has a second airport, smaller, Lucko used for sport aviation and Croatian police, and a third, Busevec, mainly used for sports purposes. Top Town is dedicated to the baroque architectural style, specific style of the nineteenth century. Modernity has reached the highest points, and life has a hurried pace, specifically in large cities. In the New Zagreb are the most important commercial centers. Thus, the Croatians are proud of some malls accessible to any pocket.
The tourist attractions are: the neo-Gothic cathedral formerly known as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, at present being dedicated to the Assumption. It is distinguished mainly due to the two twin towers, built in neo-Gothic style, visible from virtually any area of the city. Unfortunately, it is almost always in the process of renovation, largely because of its tumultuous history. Founded in 1093, was completed only in 1242 the original building in the Romanesque style.

The next 21 years have been quite harmful to the building, badly damaged by the repeated sieges of the Tartars. In 1624, a series of devastating fires almost completely destroyed the church, because, in 1645, the last eruption of flames to break down all that was left standing. Rebuilt with great difficulty, was severely damaged by the earthquake of 1880. There followed 12 years of restoration, during which they raised its beautiful neo-Gothic towers.

In 1990, restoration work commenced on the exterior of the cathedral and it is still under development. The old buildings are preserved frescoes of the thirteenth century, Renaissance pews, marble altars and a pulpit in Baroque style. Unfortunately, it is almost always in the process of renovation, largely because of its history. Mirogoj Cemetery located in the north of Zagreb, is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Here you can admire some absolutely spectacular mausoleums and English landscape type are surrounded by a large arch neo-Renaissance style, dating from the nineteenth century.

It is interesting to note how different religions are represented here, languages and cultures. Mimara Museum, housed in a neo-Renaissance style building, contains one of the most valuable art collections in Europe. The objects, some thousands in number, were donated by Ante Topic Mimara municipality, a private collector, originally from Zagreb. Currently, the museum’s galleries are at 3750 works of art, which include signed works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh and Da Vinci.

Here one can admire an impressive collection of artifacts belonging to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, or ancient Rome. Maksimir Park, located in Zagreb, is the ideal place to relax: green lawns, lakes with clear water and sky like a watercolor painting. The 18 hectares of land covered with lush vegetation were open to the public in 1794; the park opened the first of its kind in this region of Europe. Maksimir offers many surprises visitors, such as the way to the city’s botanical garden, featuring more than 10,000 species of plants, some more spectacular than others, some species of turtles, birds and entire families of ducks.

Mirogoj Cemetery – is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Flickering lamps, arranged with ornate tombstones and surrounded by colorful flowers, make this place the rest of the dead in a corner of paradise for the living. It is interesting to note how different religions are represented here, languages and cultures. The Cemetery is the final resting place for local personalities such as Drazen Petrovic, Franjo Tuđman Petar Preradovie or Ljudevita Gaja.

Botanical Garden – Established in 1890, Zagreb botanical garden contains over 10,000 species of plants, some more spectacular than others. In addition, the nature park was flooded in for all kinds of turtles, birds and entire families of ducks. For recreation, the visitors have several banks. St. Mark of Gradec whose port is considered a masterpiece and the entire surrounding area is adorned with statues of Ivan Mestrovia. Near the church, in the market with the same name, was executed as the legend said Matija Gubec, the famous chief of the rebellion uprising of 1573, drowned in blood.11