Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, ranks among the oldest cities in Central Europe, as is evident from the documents dating back to 1094, when a diocese was established in this area. The city developed between the mountain of Medvednica and the river Sava. Its old center consists of the medieval Gradec - today the home of the Croatian Government and Parliament - and Kaptol, the seat of the archbishop. Following the administrative unification of the two entities and the surrounding villages in the 19th century, the city experienced a surge in the construction of prestigious buildings,
A city tailored to
the needs of man
CITY OF ZAGREB
CITY OF ZAGREB.
Visit and Savor Zagreb
Architectural sites
The neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Romanesque-Gothic Church of St Mark, parts of the medieval city walls dating from the 13th century - the Stone Gate and the Lotršćak tower, the electricpowered funicular linking the Lower Town with the Upper Town and the neo-baroque building of the National Croatian Theatre dating from 1895, designed by the architects Fellner and Helmer.
Gastronomy
Roast turkey with 'mlinci', 'štrukli', 'špek fileki' (a thick soup prepared with tripe and bacon), pasta with cabbage, cottage cheese with cream, Zagreb steak, traditional ajngemahtec soup, plum dumplings, stuffed peppers, šnenokle (poached meringue dessert).
Cultural Memories and Traditions
Šestine umbrella - part of a traditional folk costume characteristic of the surroundings of Zagreb, which was regularly worn until the 1960s.
Today it is worn at folklore and similar events. The greatest concentration of these colourful umbrellas can be seen at Dolac - Zagreb's open-air market.
Paprenjak (pepper cookie) - an aromatic cookie made with flour, honey, walnuts and pepper, rectangular in shape, decorated with the reliefs of folklore motifs. As a traditional Croatian food it has a taste which is truly contradictory - but then, so is Croatian history as a whole. A sweet and peppery morsel for many a foreign palate.
Licitar heart - a heart-shaped red gingerbread gift which in Zagreb is a traditional expression of love and affection. In continental Croatia this originally edible sweet cake with honey was sold for centuries at church fêtes and was prepared for special occasions. With the help of moulds it can be made into various shapes and richly decorated. It is a favourite decoration of traditional Christmas trees.