Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and its largest in terms of size. Situated along the banks of the Sava River, it is also located at the foot of the Medvednica mountain. The city is considered the industrial and scientific center of the whole country. The city is divided into two parts–the Donji grad or the Lower Town and the Gornji grad or the Upper Town.

Sights & Activities

The city’s most prominent religious structure is the Zagreb Cathedral, located along Kaptol in the Upper Town. The cathedral’s present form was the result of reconstruction during the 19th century after it suffered major damages due to an earthquake. It is of Neo-Gothic style and has two spires as its prominent features.
Another notable religious structure in the city is the St. Mark’s Church, also in Upper Town. The church was built in the 13th century, though like the cathedral, it also underwent massive reconstruction a century later to become what it is today, a Gothic church. One of its notable architectural highlights is the portal, which bears several statues of religious personage. The tiles on the roof are laid in a manner that they depict the coat of arms of the city and of the Triune Kingdom of Crotia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia.

Nearby is the Banski dvori, a historical Baroque building that became the official residence of the national government.

There are also a number of museums in Zagreb that visitors can explore. On Roosevelt Square is the Mimara Museum, containing more than three thousand works of art, including those by Rafaello, Veronese, and Caravaggio. Housed in a 19th century building, the museum opened its doors in 1987.

In the center of the city is the Croatian History Museum, housed within the Vojkovic-Orsic-Rauch palace. The palace was constructed in the 18th century and used to be the residence of prominent families in the city. The museum showcases numerous artifacts related to the history and development of the whole country.
Another interesting destination would the Archaeological Museum, known for its Egyptian collection, its impressive numismatic collection, and the Zagreb mummy.
At the King Tomislay Square is the Art Pavilion, constructed in the later part of the 19th century and is considered one of the largest art galleries in the country.
The Mirogoj is another popular attraction located in the northern part of Zagreb. It is the central cemetery of the city, established in the 19th century. It features the church of Christ the King and several impressive arcades.

Located a short distance away from the city are the remains of the Roman town of Andautonia, an attraction that should not be missed by any tourist in Zagreb. Among the structures uncovered by archaeologists are the ruins of city baths, colonnade, the main street, and several side streets.

There are several popular events held in Zagreb, including the International Puppet Festival, which aims to uphold and perpetuate this form of traditional entertainment. The city also organizes the Zagreb Music Biennale, which features both classical and contemporary forms of dance and music.

Weather

Zagreb enjoys a continental climate, with four distinct seasons. The average temperature during winter hovers just above freezing point while during summer, temperature averages just around 20°C. The later part of May and the early part of June is considered the hottest in the city, sometimes with temperatures rising above 30°C. Locals expect the city to be blanketed by fog with accompanying rain during the autumn months, which occurs from October to December. Snow is also expected during the winter months of December to March.