What to see in Zagreb, Croatia

Today's Zagreb has grown out of two medieval settlements that for centuries developed on neighboring hills. The first written mention of the city dates from 1094, when a diocese was founded on Kaptol, while in 1242, neighboring Gradec was proclaimed a free and royal city. Both the settlements were surrounded by high walls and towers, remains of which are still preserved.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore all of Zagreb's picturesque historical sites, hidden alleys & lanes and especially the main square of the city. You can learn a lot about Zagreb on a walking tour as you discover the main sights and attractions at your own pace.

The center of Zagreb is divided into two parts: Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and Donji Grad (Lower Town). Because of its historical structures, churches and religious monuments, Gornji Grad has great historic value attached to it and is literally a tourist's paradise. Donji Grad on the otherhand mostly contains shops, cafes, museums and parks.

There is a lot to see in Zagreb. Zagreb is home to over 30 museums and galleries, several religious and historic buildings and monuments, and a plethora of green spaces and squares. In fact, in Donji Grad 7 squares make up the o-called Green horseshoe or Lenuzzi's horseshoe. Here are a few of the top attractions in Zagreb:

Tkalčićeva Street
Typical European street lined with cafes and interesting shopping. Stop here for a coffee and some people watching.

Botanical Garden
A cool and relaxing oasis on a hot day of sightseeing in Croatia's capital city.

Zagreb Cathedral
Impressive neo-gothic cathedral easily viewed from most vantage points in the city.

Museum of Broken Relationships
Interesting collection revolving around the concept of failed relationships and their ruins. Definitely worth a visit!

Mushroom Museum
Locals and visitors will be able to find out everything there is to know about mushrooms, such as which mushrooms are eatable, which are poisonous and which would result in death if they were eaten, this new museum just opened this past summer.



Croatian Museum of Naive Art
Very interesting paintings and some sculptures by untrained Croatian artists from rural areas.

St. Mark's Church
Late Gothic Church with some Romanesque features, standing on the corner of St. Mark's Square.

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Zagreb's Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships grew from a traveling exhibition revolving around the concept of failed relationships and their ruins. Unlike ‘destructive’ self-help instructions for recovery from failed loves, the Museum offers a chance to overcome an emotional collapse through creation: by contributing to the Museum's collection.

Whatever the motivation for donating personal belongings – be it sheer exhibitionism, therapeutic relief, or simple curiosity – people embraced the idea of exhibiting their love legacy as a sort of a ritual, a solemn ceremony.  Our societies oblige us with our marriages, funerals, and even graduation farewells, but deny us any formal recognition of the demise of a relationship, despite its strong emotional effect.  In the words of Roland Barthes in A Lover's Discourse: "Every passion, ultimately, has its spectator... (there is) no amorous oblation without a final theater."

Conceptualized in Croatia by Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, the Museum has since toured internationally, amassing an amazing collection. Although often colored by personal experience, local culture and history, the exhibits presented here form universal patterns offering us to discover them and feel the comfort they can bring. Hopefully they can also inspire our personal search for deeper insights and strengthen our belief in something more meaningful than random suffering.


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