More of Zagreb, an Anniversary (well sorta')

The continuation of photos and information

on Zagreb, Croatia. 

To celebrate our first trip here one year ago this month !!!!

I spent yesterday in the center and took lots of photos to share with you all;-/

 It is so doable to walk just about everywhere, (some places you can only see on foot), however you can not see everything in one day. So I took picture in:

The historical city center which consist of 

Upper Town or Old Town (with the Parliament, the governmental centre of Croatia) and Lower Town (the heart of contemporary Zagreb).
Ilica Ulica is the main street coming into the center ending at Ban Jelačić Square.  At 5.66 km long, Ilica runs through most of the northwestern part of the city and is home to it's many shops and cultural site.
{Yes I've walked the whole street :-/ but not yesterday, so no pictures here.} Yesterday I took the tram in. 

Ban Jelačić Sq. features a statue of ban Josip Jelačić on horse back & "THE" clock.

Ban Jelačić Square (Trg bana Jelačića), is the central square of the city. It is the most common meeting place ...  everyone meets under the clock.
 Inaccessible by car, it is the main hub for trams.
The square has existed since the 17th century. Its first name was Harmica, and it has had many other names and uses. Therefore today, the buildings belong to different architectural styles ranging from classicism, secession and modernism. The oldest standing building was built in 1827.

Upper town view, Strossmartre and the Funicular (the blue cable car)

Locally known as Gornji Grad (Upper Town), the old town combines the twin settlements of Gradec and Kaptol*. There are many way to the top, most involving stairs, however there is a little cable car, nope, never rode in it, but it is very cute.

Funicular: Built in 1890 covers a mere 66 meters (217 ft), in 55 seconds, running (or rather chugging) from Zagreb’s main street, Ilica in the Lower Town to the Upper Town. The funicular stops at the foot of Zagreb’s former defense tower, Lotrscak. The 13th century white stone structure once protected the city. Today it is known for the Gric cannon that fires a shot into the city everyday at 12:00 pm. 

No matter that I have heard this canon quite a few times now, it still catches me off guard, making me jump! The views from up here are amazing.

St Mark's Square: Trg svetog Marka, located in the old part of Zagreb,

 In the center of this square is St. Mark's Church. (completed 13th century and radically reconstructed in the second half of the 14th century, bell tower added much later). On the roof, tiles are laid so that they represent the coat of arms of Zagreb (white castle on red background) and Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia. In the sun, these tiles are really spectacular. 

 The square also home to important governmental buildings: Croatian Parliament, Constitutional Court of Croatia and the Old City Hall, where the Zagreb City Council held its sessions. 

Making my way down to Lower town.

It's mid day, time to meet up with Tom, under the clock. Past cobblestone streets, mixing the old with the new, residential & commercial, coffee & shopping, on the right one of our favorite restaurants - besides great food I love the outside stadium seating. {walking up and down the hill though, got to be tough on the wait staffs legs, FYI it is not typical to tip your waiter in Croatia, so not sure just saving on a gym membership would be enough of an incentive!}

Dolac Famers Market, inside 3 storied sheltered market with everything from meat to cheese, pasta to fruits, nuts & veggies, pasties, honey, flowers... then outside 3 tiers of open stalls, really has everything and always worth a visit. 

Every time I walk around the center, I see different streets, and buildings... so much more to show you...but I'll stop here at Dolac market a must {open daily until 14:30}. This trip I bought blueberries and raspberries.

Doviđenja! Christine

Notes: all picture were taken by me yesterday 7/29/14, also see,

Link to In and around Zagreb

*Of the two settlements Gradec and Kaptol, the existence of Kaptol was substantiated in 1094 when King Ladislaus founded the Zagreb bishopric. The bishop, his residence and the Cathedral was located on the southeast part of the Kaptol hill.

 in 1242, Gradec became a “free royal city” with citizens having the power to elect their Mayor, among other rights. They built defensive walls to protect themselves from any other invasions. These fortification walls built between 1242 and 1261 gave Gradec it appearance which can be seen from Gornji Grad hill. 

Zagreb’s history dates back to the Roman times… In the 17th and 18th centuries Zagreb was destroyed due to fire and plague…There is no proper archaeological evidence that traces Zagreb’s past... Legends and stories revolving around various characters and places have made up the region’s history...

more great info at http://www.zagreb.com/v/history/