After a nice day in Slovenia yesterday, the plan for today was to explore Zagreb before flying to Barcelona. I got up in the morning and picked up some breakfast from Mlinar at the Zagreb Glavni Kolod Train Station.
Right in front of it was the King Tomislav Square with the King Tomislav Monument, a bronze equestrian statue commemorating Croatia’s first king. The Art Pavilion in Zagreb, a yellow Neo-Renaissance building, was the oldest gallery in Southeast Europe with the beautiful King Tomislav Fountain in front of it.
I walked to the other side and also saw the Monument to Andrea Schiavone (Andrija Medulić), honoring the 16th-century Renaissance painter and etcher. Across the road, The Execution of hostages - Monument to victims of fascism by Frano Kršinić depicted the tragic execution of civilians during World War II.
I walked through the Zrinjevac Park and saw the Neo-Renaissance Twin Fountains positioned symmetrically on either side of the park’s central pathway. The centerpiece of the park was the Music Pavilion, used for hosting open-air concerts and seasonal events. At the far end, the Meteorological Post provided real-time displays of temperature, pressure, and humidity using antique scientific instruments.
Next, I headed to Trg bana Josipa Jelačića, a pedestrian plaza which sat at the intersection between the Upper and Lower Towns. In the middle was the Ban Josip Jelačić Statue, an equestrian monument honoring the 19th-century Count and military leader.
From there, I headed to see the Cathedral of Zagreb. This Gothic-style cathedral is famous for its twin spires. The Neo-Renaissance Hermann Bollé Fountain sits at the base of the Monument of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by four golden angels representing the Christian virtues.
I saw Oktogon, the urban passage with a striking stained-glass octagonal dome serving as a shortcut between Petar Preradović Square and Ilica Street. I then climbed up the Lotrščak Tower, a 13th-century fortress tower famous for the Grič cannon, which has been fired daily at noon for over a century. Zagreb Funicular, recognized as the world’s shortest cable car, was not in operation.
After seeing the cannon being fired at noon, I walked towards Saint Mark’s square. I saw the Greek Catholic Co-Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius on the way. This Neo-Byzantine church is a unique architectural blend of Eastern and Western Christian traditions. One of Zagreb’s most iconic landmarks, St. Mark’s Church is a 13th-century church famous for its colorful tiled roof depicting the medieval coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Zagreb. The Stone Gate, the last remaining medieval gate of the city’s ancient walls, is now a sacred shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
I was also able to see the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis’ Church and the Cathedral of Zagreb from the viewing platform behind Saint Catherine’s Church Crkva sv. Katarine
I walked down from Upper Town from Capuchin Steps, locally, known as Vještičje štenge (Witch Steps), a secret meeting path for witches, because of how dark and narrow the wooden stairs used to be at night. Today, they are illuminated by charming old lanterns. My next stop was Tunel Grič, a historic WWII-era pedestrian tunnel located beneath the Upper Town. Originally built as a bomb shelter in 1943, it was reopened to the public in 2016 and now serves as a unique underground shortcut.
After coming out on the other side, I walked up the Ivan Zakmardi Steps, the most famous and steepest pedestrian stairways in Zagreb. I also saw the Antun Gustav Matoš Monument, depicting the famous Croatian poet and writer sitting casually on a public bench, gazing out over the city skyline.
With that I started my walk back to Lower Town and then Palmers Lodge Hostel. I collected my bag and then booked a bolt ride for €16.00 to the Franjo Tuđman International Airport. I visited Primeclass Lounge for a late lunch / early dinner while I waited for my flight to Barcelona.
Zagreb airport also had stationary cycles to charge mobile devices similar to what I had seen in Luxembourg last year. I think this is a very novel idea.
My flight Croatia Airlines 374 had a small snack and water service onboard. We had nice views of Rijeka International Airport and Krk Bridge on the way.
🍽️ Mlinar
🛏️ Palmers Lodge Hostel
🚖 Bolt
🍽️ Primeclass Lounge
✈️ Croatia Airlines 374