Zagreb Overview Zagreb is the capital of Croatia as well as the country s centre of business, industry and tourism. With a population of nearly 1 million it is also Croatia s largest city, covering an area of approximately 650 square kilometres. Situated on the banks of the Sava River, a major tributary of the more famous Danube, Zagreb is fast becoming a tourist hotspot attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see the wonderfully historic town and take advantage of the relative cheapness of a European city. Lovers of history and beautiful architecture will not be disappointed with Zagreb as the city has many well respected and fascinating museums and buildings. Art lovers are well catered for with some particularly interesting art galleries the most well known being the Mimara Museum which houses over 3500 works of art from some of the most famous artists in the world dating back to prehistoric times. Other galleries include the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Pavilion and the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art. The city s ancient history is celebrated in the Archaeological Museum, home to the Zagreb Mummy which features the oldest Etruscan inscription known in the world. If staying inside isn t really your thing head down to one of Zagreb s fantastic outdoor spaces such as Maksimir Park located in the Lower Town. The park is a great spot to take the family and enjoy a picnic or simply to stroll through the picturesque scenery. For exercise enthusiasts the park has dedicated jogging and cycling tracks but if you fancy a swim the Jarun Lake is open to water lovers throughout the summer. Zagreb s other popular lake, Lake Bundek, plays host to many of Zagreb s shows and events. The historic funicular railway carries passengers the short distance from the Lower Town to the Upper Town into the medieval heart of the city. Also the cultural centre of Zagreb the Upper Town (Gornji grad to locals) is where the largest concentration of restaurants can be found. Amongst the international food chains and on the go restaurants Zagreb has some gems of eateries serving up traditional Croatian cuisine. Mainly made up of hearty meat dishes Croatian cooking is wonderfully like good home cooked food, fantastic in the winter when the cold wind whips through the city. The café culture is big in Zagreb and it is not uncommon to find locals sitting in cafés for hours sipping on freshly made coffee. The Mediterranean atmosphere comes alive in the city in summer with tables lining the streets; however the winter brings everything inside. In Zagreb it s coffee by day but the bars are buzzing at night. With many bars located in the Upper Town exploring different venues is easy and whether you like to chill out in plush surroundings watching the rich and famous or dance the night away to alternative music there is something for everyone. Places to Visit Mirogoj Cemetery Described by many as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world Mirogoj was designed by the famous architect Herman Bolle. As well as being a place to mourn loved ones, the cemetery is an open art gallery and public park. The stunning architectural features of arcades, pavilions and domes located amongst beautifully kept gardens and wonderful sculptures belie the true purpose of the cemetery. The Croatian Day of the Dead (November 1st) sees the grounds of the cemetery magnificently lit with thousands of candles. Medvedgrad page 1 / 5
The ancient fort of Medvedgrad is situated on mount Medvenica and has been protecting the city of Zagreb for centuries. Built in the 13th century the fort was quite heavily damaged during an earthquake in the 1600s and fell into a state of disrepair. Modern day Medvedgrad has been lovingly restored and is a wonderful way to learn about the military history of Croatia and Zagreb through the museum now located here. The fort also features the Homeland Altar which has an eternal flame paying homage to all those that have lost their lives defending their country. Jelačić Square The historic Jelačić Square is located in the centre of the city below the old quarters of Gradec and Kaptol and is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike. The imposing statue of ban Josip Jelačić is the focal point of the square and commemorates Jelačić s famous battle against Hungary in the Hungarian revolution of 1848. Also located in the square is one of Zagreb s oldest buildings and the famous Manduševac fountain. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary One of Zagreb s most famous landmarks, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, stands atop Kaptol Hill overlooking the city. The tallest building in Zagreb, the Cathedral as it stands was built following the great 1880 earthquake but there has been a church on the site since the 11th century. Built in the classic Neo-gothic style the Cathedral boasts both a spectacular exterior and interior and is a must see if visiting the city. The Meštrović Pavilion The majestic round building of the Meštrović Pavilion was designed and built in 1938 by the visionary Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Architecturally ahead of its time, the grandiose building was originally built as an exhibition hall before conversion to a mosque. It is now once again an exhibition space and contemporary artists display their works inspired by the Pavilion. With temporary exhibitions throughout the year the Meštrović Pavilion brings art to the local community and in doing so has earned a prestigious reputation. Croatian National Theatre The beautiful building of the Croatian National Theatre, known to locals as HKN, is located in the heart of Zagreb in Maršal Tito Square. Designed by the famous theatre builders Fellner and Helmer in 1895, the building looks very much like the beautiful Viennese theatres of the same era. The wonderfully extravagant interior of the Theatre captivates audiences and world class acoustics sees top artists from around the world come to perform here. Regular Events January - Winter in Zagreb Winter in Zagreb is perfect skiing weather and looming over the city is Mount Medvednica and the resort of Sljeme. Ski or snowboard by day or night when the floodlights are turned on and if you haven t brought your gear you can hire some at the top of the slope! February - Pre-Lent celebrations Pre-Lent celebrations take place in the city every February with a straw effigy of Fasnik (the cause of evil) page 2 / 5
standing trial before being burned to put right all the wrongs of the previous year. A huge parade through the streets then follows before feasting on traditional Croatian cuisine. March - ZagrebDox An alternative to the Zagreb Film Festival held in October is the ZagrebDox, a documentary film festival now in its sixth year. At cinemas all around the city, screenings are held where audiences can meet and discuss the films with the directors. April - Music Biennale Zagreb Every other year since 1961, the Music Biennale Zagreb has entertained classical music lovers from across the country. Talented musicians and orchestras are invited to perform the best in Croatian classical music with top international special guests. May - FloraArt International Garden and Flower Exhibition Each May the city of Zagreb comes alive with beautiful flowers and plants in the annual FloraArt International Garden and Flower Exhibition. Whether you come to appreciate the beauty of nature s prettiest plants or seek advice from top horticulturalists, the festival has something for all. June - Zagreb s Urban Festival Zagreb s Urban Festival brings together contemporary art and abandoned urban areas. With an aim to highlight urban issues, visual and performance artists use the locations to entertain audiences with exciting and of the moment pieces. July - Folklore Festival A treat for anyone interested in traditional Croatian arts as well as the contemporary international scene is the Zagreb International Folklore Festival. The week long festival features dance, music and theatre events with over 40 renowned performers from across the world. August - International Puppet Festival The unique PIF - International Puppet Festival is held each year in Zagreb. Internationally renowned, audiences from all over the world come to watch and talk with the talented puppeteers. Seminars and exhibitions are also held throughout the festival. September - World Theatre Festival At venues across Zagreb during September, the World Theatre Festival brings live performances to its audiences. Featuring, amongst others, the Croatian national Theatre and Zagreb youth Theatre as well as selected international groups. October - The Zagreb Film Festival The Zagreb Film Festival promotes up and coming directors with its feature films being predominantly debuts (first or second films in a career). A panel of judges select the top films and the coveted Golden Pram Award is page 3 / 5
awarded to the winner. November - St Martins Day November sees all of Croatia celebrating St Martins Day, a day where must (grape juice containing the skin and seeds of the grape) turns to wine. At parties throughout Zagreb, elaborate rituals are performed before a day of drinking and feasting. December - Christmas in Zagreb Christmas comes to life in the city in December with magical lights adorning buildings and Christmas shoppers bustling about the streets. With snowfall common at this time of year a picture perfect scene is set for the holidays. Getting Around Airport Transfers Located 17km south east of Zagreb city centre is Zagreb International Airport. One of the easiest and cheapest ways of reaching the airport is to travel by bus. Public buses to and from the airport are managed by Pleso Prijevoz, with a single ticket costing as little as 30HRK (approximately 3.50). Services run regularly in both directions until 8pm, when trips are timed with landing flights. As well as the regular timetable in the direction of the city to the airport, extra buses are scheduled to depart 90 minutes before domestic flights and 120 minutes before international flights. As with all international airports, arriving passengers can find a taxi rank outside the airport terminal, a single fare into town costs a fixed rate of 150HRK (approximately 18), along with car hire companies, both local and established (e.g. Hertz and Avis). Bus The integrated public transport system in Zagreb is very efficient with a bus network of 113 lines, reducing to 4 during the night. Covering the whole of the city centre and reaching out into the suburbs of Zagreb the bus system is a great means of transport for those wishing to venture out of the tourist district. Taxi There are numerous taxi companies in Zagreb and cabs can be pre-booked, hailed in the street or found at taxi ranks around the city. By law all taxis must use their meters and attempts to bargain are rarely successful. The pick up charge is 19HRK (approx. 2.20) and each kilometre costs 7HRK (approx. 0.80) with extra charges for luggage and increased rates between 10pm and 5am. Tickets The integrated public transport system in the city means that tickets can be used across the different modes of transport. Single ride tickets (10HKR) are valid for 1.5 hours and must be validated when boarding a bus, tram or train. Tickets are not for sale from the driver and must be bought from any TISAK stand (found near tram and bus stops) along with 24 hr and monthly tickets. Train page 4 / 5
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) WIZZ Guides If travelling to or from the suburbs the train can often be faster than the bus, with fast links into Zagreb central railway station. As well as the main line the city has a historic funicular railway carrying passengers from the lower town to the upper districts. Tram Like the bus network, the tram system is very efficient but is generally limited to the central districts. Travelling by tram affords great views of the city and the night service is more comprehensive than that offered by the buses. Zagreb Card If you are planning a day of sightseeing in the city it is a good idea to invest in a Zagreb Card. Offered by the tourist board the card provides reduced entry fees into many of the city s attractions as well as discounts in restaurants, cafés and bars. The card also allows the holder free public transport whilst valid (either 24 or 72 hours) and can be purchased online before arriving, from any tourist information centre or from many of the city s hotels. page 5 / 5