Zagreb

Additional facilities: Zagreb has a rich cultural and historical heritage, starting from prehistoric times (Veternica Cave, early Stone Age) and archeological finds belonging to Roman culture (Šćitarjevo) up to the present day. The historic part of the city, Gornji grad and Kaptol, form a unique urban core in terms of European standards, and are therefore part of every sightseeing tour of Zagreb. This old part of the city, with its streets and squares, can be visited on foot, starting from Ban Josip Jelačić Square, the main square and heart of Zagreb, or by using the funicular from Tomić street nearby. The old part of the city can boast of having numerous famous buildings, churches, museums and institutions, as well as pleasant restaurants, coffee houses and cafés. The history, art and culture of Zagreb and Croatia, as well as Europe and the world, can be discovered by visiting the numerous museums of Zagreb. Some 30 museum and gallery collections house over 3.6 million various artifacts, not including church and private collections. The cultural and artistic life in the city is rich and diverse. There are some 20 permanent and temporary theaters. The building of the Croatian National Theater particularly stands out, while the best known concert hall is “Vatroslav Lisinski”, named after the composer of the first Croatian opera.


Zagreb is host of numerous domestic and international events and performances. The World Festival of Animated Films takes place every even year, while the Music Biennial, an international festival of avant-garde music, every odd year. The Zagreb Philharmonic Festival, Florart, the large flower exhibition (at the end of May or beginning of June), Old-timers’ Rally, Contemporary Dance Week and Eurokaz, International Festival of Contemporary Theaters (in June) take place every year. Particularly attractive for tourists is the International Folklore Festival, when traditional dances and customs are performed on city squares and streets (in July). Theater performances and concerts are held both outdoors and indoors in the summer, particularly in Gornji grad. Zagreb Histrion Summer is held on the stage at the Opatovina venue. We recommend: Favorite souvenirs from Zagreb are known the world over and include: penkala (fountain pen) invented by Slavoljub Penkala from Zagreb over 80 years ago, and the cravat (tie) that was named after the Croatian cavaliers who, in the period from the Thirty Year War in the 17th century to the French Revolution, fought on European battlefields carrying their characteristic kerchiefs around their necks. Apart from that, you can get crystal, ceramics, and china artifacts, beautiful straw and wicker baskets, first class Croatian wines and other gastronomic products. Numerous restaurants in Zagreb serve specialties of local and international cuisine. Make sure to taste turkey, duck or goose with mlinci (traditional baked noodles), strukle (cooked pastry filled with cheese), cheese with cream and orehnjaca (walnut loaf). Seeing as Zagreb is near the sea, fresh seafood is available in seafood restaurants. The city has many fast food restaurants for fast food lovers. There are several sports and recreational centers in Zagreb. General information Capital and largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It has an area of 641,355 km2 and 779 145 inhabitants (figures from 2001). Zagreb is the cultural, research, economic, political and administrative center of the Republic of Croatia. Furthermore, it is the seat of the Croatian parliament (Sabor) and the Croatian Government. The most important industrial branches are production of electrical machines and appliances, chemical, pharmaceutical and textile industry, food processing and beverage industry, as well as the tobacco industry. Zagreb is also an important international trade and business center, as well as the traffic center of Central and Eastern Europe. Zagreb is one of Croatia’s largest tourist centers, not only for transit, but also as a destination of many tourist groups. The city is the center of congress tourism, business events and fairs, not only of Croatia, but also of this part of Europe. Being an important European traffic center, it is connected by road, air, railway and bus to all major European cities and all larger towns and tourist destinations in Croatia.