Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia, a relaxed Central European city of about 770,000 people where Habsburg-era streets, a medieval hilltop Upper Town, and a lively cafe culture sit side by side. It is known for the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Dolac market, the Tkalčićeva street terraces, Mirogoj cemetery, and one of Europe's best-loved Advent festivals.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Zagreb.
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1
Foundation of the Zagreb Diocese
King Ladislaus I of Hungary founds the Diocese of Zagreb on Kaptol hill, the first documented date in the city's history and the origin of the cathedral precinct
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2
Golden Bull of Béla IV
After the Mongol (Tatar) invasion, King Béla IV grants Gradec the status of a free royal city in the Golden Bull and the town builds walls and towers
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3
Gradec Fortified
The residents of Gradec build defensive walls and gates, including the Stone Gate, to defend the Upper Town
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4
Croatian Sabor Seat
The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) begins to meet regularly in Zagreb, which becomes the political centre of the Kingdom of Croatia
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5
Jesuit Grammar School
The Jesuits found a grammar school in Gradec, the seed of the University of Zagreb, with the Baroque Church of St. Catherine following in 1632-1646
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6
Royal Council Moves to Zagreb
The Croatian Royal Council moves from Varaždin to Zagreb, confirming the city as the capital of Croatia
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7
Union of Gradec and Kaptol
The two rival settlements, Gradec and Kaptol, are merged with the surrounding villages into a single city
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8
University of Zagreb Founded
The modern University of Zagreb opens its doors, the oldest continuously operating university in the region
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9
Great Earthquake
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake damages many buildings and prompts large reconstruction, including the Neo-Gothic cathedral by Hermann Bollé and the Lower Town
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10
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
At the end of World War I, Croatia leaves Austria-Hungary and joins the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia
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11
World War II
Zagreb becomes the capital of the Axis-aligned Independent State of Croatia before liberation by Partisan forces in May 1945
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12
Socialist Yugoslavia
Zagreb becomes the capital of the Socialist Republic of Croatia within federal Yugoslavia, with large post-war expansion south of the Sava (Novi Zagreb)
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13
Declaration of Independence
Croatia declares independence on 25 June 1991 and Zagreb is the capital of the new state during the Croatian War of Independence
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14
Croatia Joins the EU
Croatia joins the European Union on 1 July 2013, and adopts the euro and Schengen on 1 January 2023
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15
Zagreb Earthquake
On 22 March 2020 a magnitude 5.3 earthquake strikes Zagreb, damaging the cathedral spire and many historic buildings, with restoration continuing since
Historical sites
Places where Zagreb's past comes alive.
Zagreb Cathedral
The seat of the Archbishop of Zagreb, a Neo-Gothic cathedral with two 105 m spires, on the site of an 11th-century church.
Where: Kaptol 31, Zagreb
Admission: Free; Treasury by arrangement
Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata)
The only surviving gate of the medieval walls of Gradec, with a shrine to the Virgin Mary.
Where: Kamenita ulica, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: Free
Lotrščak Tower
A 13th-century defensive tower of Gradec's southern wall, known for the noon cannon.
Where: Strossmayerovo šetalište 9, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: €6 (~$7)
St. Mark's Church
The Gothic parish church of the Upper Town, with the famous tiled roof showing the arms of Croatia and Zagreb.
Where: Trg Svetog Marka 5, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: Free (exterior); interior at set times
Mirogoj Cemetery
A monumental city cemetery with arcades and domes, designed by Hermann Bollé.
Where: Mirogojska cesta 10, Zagreb
Admission: Free
Croatian National Theatre
An opulent Neo-Baroque opera house built for Emperor Franz Joseph's 1894 visit, designed by Fellner and Helmer.
Where: Trg maršala Tita 15, Zagreb
Admission: Free to view exterior; performances ticketed
Meštrović Atelier
The former home and studio of sculptor Ivan Meštrović.
Where: Mletačka 8, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: €10 (~$12)
Archaeological Museum Zagreb
The museum of the Vučedol Dove and the Zagreb Mummy with the Etruscan linen book.
Where: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19, Zagreb
Admission: €8 (~$9)
Museum of Broken Relationships
A modern museum in the Baroque Kulmer Palace, built on donated objects from ended relationships.
Where: Ćirilometodska 2, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: €10 (~$12)
Museum of the City of Zagreb
The city history museum in the former Convent of St. Claire next to the Lotrščak Tower.
Where: Opatička 20, Gradec, Zagreb
Admission: €8 (~$9)
Mimara Museum
A major art museum housed in a former school building, with the collection of Ante Topić Mimara.
Where: Rooseveltov trg 5, Zagreb
Admission: €10 (~$12)
Museum of Arts and Crafts (MUO)
A decorative-arts museum in a Hermann Bollé building at the head of the Green Horseshoe.
Where: Trg Republike Hrvatske 10, Zagreb
Admission: €8 (~$9)
Grič Tunnel
A WWII-era civil shelter tunnel under the Upper Town, now a pedestrian passage and event space.
Where: Radićeva 20 / Tkalčićeva 11a, Zagreb
Admission: Free