Zagreb: A Capital with European style
Zagreb has been proclaimed the Capital of the Republic of Croatia in 1991. Zagreb is dislocated on a surface of 126 000 hectares, it is the political, diplomatic, economic and cultural center of the Country, thanks also to its geographic position on the border of the plain of the Sava and to the junction of important roads. In its elegant architectures, in great monuments, the design of the public squares and the streets, as in that of gardens and parks, are seen the long historical vicissitudes of the city, which developed from the Middle Ages as an important handicraft and trading center. A vocation, this, that is still today confirmed, as more than 3000 stores and the Fair of Zagreb testify. The Fair of Zagreb was created in 1909 and from 1956 transferred to Novi Zagreb, on the other side of the Sava river. The Fair receives exhibitors of more than 60 countries on a surface of approximately 500 000 meters square.
Upper Town and Kaptol are the historical component of the city to the north of Ban Jelačić Square. This is a medieval urban complex of churches, palaces, museums, galleries and government buildings that are specially popular to tourists on sightseeing tours. The old town’s streets and squares can be reached on foot, starting from Jelačić Square, the central part and the heart of Zagreb, or by a funicular on nearby Tomićeva Street.
A living room in the open air that accommodates old and young people, politicians and students, journalist and lawyers, this is every Saturday the center of Zagreb. A true meeting place for the entire city. The myriad of bars and coffee-shops on the pedestrian zone around the public square Ban Jelačić opens the doors – or better the sidewalks – to the public, joining up for the traditional noon aperitif. A foreign person is often astonished by the crowd that in the middle of the street, often with a glass in hand, stand hours to intensely discuss. Almost as it was summer in a city near the sea.
Facts and Figures
Location:
northern Croatia, near the Sava River
45° 10′ N, 15° 30′ E
122 m above sea level
Time:
Central-european time (GMT+1)
Climate and Weather:
continental climate
average summer temperature: 20° C
average winter temperature: 1° C
Population:
800,000
Surface area:
650 sq. km.
Institutions:
University
10 theatres
21 museums
14 galleries
12 art collections
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