Zagreb

Overview

Zagreb became the capital of The Republic of Croatia when it achieved its independent status in 1991. The city is the political, economic, academic and cultural heart of the country. To many visitors, Zagreb is purely a stopover on the way to the sunny coastal regions. However the city has much to offer with the highest density of museums in the world and numerous cafes where one can watch the world go by.

The 900 year old city is divided into three sections and most of the city's highlights lie in the thousand year old Gornji Grad, or Upper Town. The baroque atmosphere, cobbled streets and charming outdoor markets make the Upper Town the ideal location to wander the streets and absorb the culture. The focal landmark in the area is the 13th century gothic Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose twin spires tower over the city. Other sights include the Presidential palace and the historic church of St. Mark's.

The 19th century Dolnji Grad, or Lower Town, is filled with shops, restaurants, cafe's, theatres and parks. The third section is the modern, post WWII, Novi Zagreb, or new Zagreb, which is full of high rise buildings and has little to offer tourists apart for an insight into the country’s communist past.

History