Zagreb on the Sava River

Croatia is officially called the Republic of Croatia. It is a European country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. Its coastline lies on the Adriatic Sea. The largest city and capital of the country is Zagreb in the northwest along the Sava River.

Medieval Gronji Gead, is Zagreb's Upper Town with cobblestone streets and buildings topped with red-tiled roofs.

The most famous street in the Upper Town is Tkalciceva Street with sidewalk cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Other highlights in the area are Kaptol Square and the Dolac Fruit and Vegetable Market.

Visitors enjoy the beauty of St. Mark's Church with its colored tile roof which bears the Coat of Arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Savonia, and Zagreb City. The interior has impressive statues by famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and frescoes by Croatian artist Jozo Kljakovic.

Zagreb Cathedral was erected on the site of a previous structure destroyed by the Tartars in the early 1200s. Famous for its two ornately decorated spires, the present cathedral was built in the latter half of the 13th century, although many alterations and renovations have been made since that and changed the structure dramatically. Most recently, the earthquake of 1880 destroyed large sections, including the dome and bell tower, although reconstruction maintained the original medieval design. Be sure to also visit the cathedral treasury with its many fine works of religious art, garments, and sacred objects.

Built to guard the southern gate of the Gradec town wall, the Lotrscak Tower (Kula Lotrscak) dates back to the 13th century and has long been one of Zagreb's most recognizable landmarks. Legend has it that this large, square Romanesque tower once held a bell that rang out each night before the closing of the gates to warn residents outside the walls to return (anyone left outside would have to remain there for the night).

In the 19th century, a fourth floor and windows were added to the tower and a cannon was placed on its roof, which has since been fired every day at noon. Visitors can climb the tower for stunning views over the city and visit its exhibition gallery and gift shops.

Another important medieval structure is the famous Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata), the last of five original city gates, and also found in Upper Town. It was built in the 13th century and the building famously survived a fire in 1731, as did its painting of Mary and Jesus. To commemorate the important relic, a chapel was built to house the painting, which has been the subject of pilgrimages ever since and can still be seen behind a metal grille.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the newest museums in the city. It is the largest and most modern museum in Croatia. It has a collection of over 12,000 artworks. Even though the focus is on Croatian art you can also see paintings by international artists as well as sculptures. English-language tours are available.

The Museum of Mimara houses the artwork donated by a private collector, Ante Topic Mimara in 1972. There is also an archeological collection from Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, the Middle East, the Far East, and India, as well as Inca and Pre-Inca South America. From Europe and other Mediterranean countries, there is a large glass collection, furniture from the Middle Ages, and sculptures from ancient Greece. There are paintings from well-known Danish, Italian, Flemish, and Spanish artists.

The Croatian National Theater was built in 1895. It is located at the northwest corner of Zagreb's “Green Horseshoe” in Donji Grad. It was built in the neo-Baroque and Rococo styles. The theater has two small domes in the front and a larger dome toward the back. It is a venue for opera, ballet, and drama performances.

Maksimir Park is a lovely green space designed like an old English garden. It's the largest park in Zagreb and has two pavilions – Bellevue Pavilion and Echo Pavilion. There are paths and trails for walking, man-made lakes, wooded areas, and flower gardens. People enjoy relaxing here and having picnics. For children, there is a small zoo.

Zagreb Archeological Museum has five main collections with some 40,000 pieces. Among the highlights are Egyptian mummies, Greek vases, and a medieval section. An extensive collection shows the cultural history of Croatia through exhibits of ceramics, jewelry, gold, musical instruments, textiles, tools, weapons, and elaborate costumes.

The City Museum in the Upper Town consists of the Convent of St. Clair, a tower from the 1100s and a 17th-century granary. It houses 12 collections describing the history of Zagreb. There is a scale model of the old town of Gradec. For children. there are interactive exhibits including hands-on workshops and a playroom.

The Jesuit Church of St. Catherine was built in the first half of the 17th century and is considered one of the finest churches in Zagreb. Highlights include its beautiful interior with many fine examples of Baroque art, along with stucco reliefs by Italian artist Antonio Quadrio dating from the 1720s. The ceiling of the nave has many medallions with scenes depicting the life of St. Catherine by Giulio Quaglia.

The Botanical Garden was built as a research area for the Zagreb University Faculty of Botany. It is part of a series of parks that form the “Green Horseshoe” in Donji Grad. The garden has an arboretum, two ponds, an ornamental bride and some 10,000 plant species.

The Gallery of Modern Art in Donji Grad is housed in the Vraniczany Palace. On display are artworks by 19th and 20th-century Croatian artists.