Zagreb - Zagreb visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Zagreb' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Zagreb.

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia. It lies on the Sava river, near southern slopes of Medvednica mountain. The first settlements in the area date back to Roman times, and the first written reference to Zagreb as a name dates back to 1094 when the Hungarian King Ladislaus founded a diocese here. The Kaptol district grew up around the cathedral and on a neighbouring hill the settlement of Gradec was founded. Eventually 'Zagreb' became the common term for both settlements.

In 1991 Zagreb became the capital of Croatia following secession from Second Yugoslavia and saw some conflict during the 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence with the Serbs. Today it is a thriving city with many museums and cultural events that draws people looking for short, city break like holidays.

Zagreb - Attractions

In terms of visiting, Zagreb is split into the Lower (Donji Grad) and Upper (Gornji Grad) towns, both of which contain several important museums and historical buildings. Among the top attractions in Zagreb are:

• Zagreb Archaeological Museum (Arheoloski Muzej u Zahrebi) - the museum has over 400,000 pieces from Croatia, many of which are from around Zagreb. The collection is split into 5 sections; Prehistoric, Egyptian, Ancient, Medieval, and Coins.
• Zagreb Botanical Garden (Botanicki Vrt) - a 50,000 sq m park built for the use of the Faculty of Botany of Zagreb University. Within it are 10,000 different species of plants, an arboretum, two ponds and open spaces.
• Croatian Artists Centre (Dom Hrvatskih Likovnih Umjetnika) - based in an important historic building in Trg zrtava fasizma the centre contains regularly changing exhibitions in a variety of media.
• Ethnographic Museum (Etnografski Muzej) - one of the best cultural museums in Croatia with an extensive collection of ceramics, jewellery, gold, musical instruments, textiles, tools, weapons and elaborate costumes.
• Gallery of Modern Art (Moderna Galerija) - housed in the Vraniczany Palace which was built in 1882 and showing 19th and 20th Century works by various Croat artists.
• Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters (Strossmayerova Galerija Starih Majstora) - housed in a 19th Century neo-Renaissance building with over 600 pieces of art many donated by Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer in the 1870's.
• Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Katedrala Marijina Uznesenja) - the current cathedral dates from the 13th Century, rebuilt extensively after an earthquake in the 19th century. It houses the Cathedral Treasury containing many fine works of religious art, garments, and other religious objects.
• Church of St Catherine - 17th century Jesuit church, considered one of the finest in Zagreb.
• Church of St Mark - famous for the bright, tiled roof decorated with the arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Savonia, and Zagreb city.
• Mestrovic Gallery (Atelje Mestrovic) - over 300 pieces by Ivan Mestrovic, the most recognised 20th century Croatian artist, housed in the 17th century home in which he lived.
• Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata) - found in Gornji Grad it is the last remaining of the five gates that once regulated access through the city walls.
• Tower of Lotrscak (Kula Lotrscak) - 13th century tower which guarded the southern gate of Gradec.

Zagreb Tourist Information Centre
Trg Bana Jelačića 11,
Zagreb
Phone: 01-481 4051,
Web: zagreb-touristinfo.hr

Zagreb Tourist Board and Convention Bureau
Kaptol 5
Phone: +385 1 48-98-555
Email: info@zagreb-convention.hr
Web: zagreb-convention.hr

Flight: Zagreb International Airport
Train: Direct international services to many major cities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Bus: International services to many other European cities from Autobusni Kolodvor bus station.