Zagreb: a fusion of history and culture in the heart of Croatia
Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia, sits in the northwest of the country. It mixes old stone buildings and stories from the Middle Ages with the way people live today - visitors see both the long past plus the present life of the Balkans.
The city began in the Middle Ages when two villages, Capitol besides Gradec, joined into one town. Key old sites include Medvedgrad Castle on Medvednica Hill, the tall Gothic Zagreb Cathedral or St. Mark's Square with its bright roof tiles - each place shows a part of the city's past and its style of building.
Zagreb has a busy cultural life. The Mimara Museum holds old objects, the Museum of Contemporary Art shows new works, the Croatian National Theatre puts on plays and operas but also events such as the Zagreb Film Festival add to the city's name as a place where culture matters.
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Today's Zagreb gives visitors many places to go - Maximir Park, one of Europe's oldest public parks next to Pan Josip Jelačić Square, the busy centre where people meet. Shoppers head to Dolac Market for fresh food and souvenirs.
Food forms a large part of the city's appeal. Restaurants and small cafés serve classic dishes such as sarma (cabbage rolls filled with meat) as well as pašticada (beef slow cooked in sauce), as well as meals from other countries. Markets sell fresh fruit, vegetables and products from the region.
Night-life in Zagreb suits many tastes - loud music clubs, quiet bars, classical concerts and theatre shows. Tkalčićeva Street stays busy late into the night with its line of cafés or bars.
People who like the open air hike the paths of Medvednica mountain or ride bikes through green fields and forests. Maximir Park gives a calm space with wide lawns and small lakes for rest or walks.
