Zagreb Landmarks and Monuments

(Zagreb, Croatia)

Zagreb has a fine collection of old buildings and historic landmarks, dotted around the city. Many of them go back several hundred years and include the ancient Kamenita Vrata Gate, the city's last stone gate. The Trg Josipa Jelacica plaza is the heart of Zagreb and contains an array of notable monuments and some good people-watching.

One must-see landmark on the outskirts of Zagreb is the Medvedgrad Fortress, an ancient castle located atop the northerly Mount Medvednica, where great walking abounds. Other noted city sights include the Jesuit Church of St. Catherine, with its Baroque look, and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Kaptol Square, close to the Komedija Theatre.


Kaptol Square is central to life in the Upper Town and is surrounded by a series of historic structures, a number of which date from the 17th century.

Ban Jelacic Square (Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica / Trg Josipa Jelacica)

Address: Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 481 4051
The Trg Josipa Jelacica is the focal point of Zagreb and the Lower Town's geographic heart. Forming the centrepiece of the square is the statue of Ban Jelacic, a 19th-century governor who unsuccessfully rode Croatian forces to usurp the Hungarian ruling elite. The buildings surrounding the Trg Josipa Jelacica mostly hail from the 19th century, while the numerous cafes here provide added interest, along with the kiosks and general atmospheric hustle and bustle.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Medvedgrad Fortress

Address: Mount Medvednica, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 364 6546
Lying to the south-west of the city centre and on the southerly side of Mount Medvednica is this sizeable medieval fort. The fortress was erected in the mid-13th century and, while a noted landmark of the city today, it did perform an important role in protecting Zagreb from invaders of the time. The Medvedgrad Fortress has been well restored and comes with towers, a chapel, the 'Shrine of the Homeland' and some truly fantastic views.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 22:00
Admission: free

Mount Medvednica

Address: Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 458 0394
The most obvious natural landmark in Zagreb sits to the north of the city and has the Medvedgrad fortress perched on it. Mount Medvednica is accessed by cable cars, which depart on the hour, although you can also hike or drive it. Atop the mountain is the small village of Sljeme, where there are cafés and shops, along with a seasonal ski resort nearby. The mountain holds much appeal to lovers of the 'Great Outdoors', coming with a selection of hiking trails and other recreational attractions. However, it should be noted that the slopes and trails are heavily wooded, and so visitors are advised to always leave plenty of time to return, so that you don't get lost after the sun has set.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge for cable car

Kamenita Vrata Gate / Stone Gate

Address: Kamenita, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 489 8555
The Stone Gate of the Upper Town, which leads to the medieval Gradec Town, is Zagreb's last remaining gate and a shrine today. This is no ordinary gate, being more of a hefty structure and tunnel. The wooden gate itself has people coming from far and wide to worship its ancient painting of the Virgin and Child. Part of the gate also has a statue of Dora Krupic, a famous literary character. Close by you may like to pay a visit to the Jesuit Church of St. Catherine or the Klovicevi Dvori Gallery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Jesuit Church of St. Catherine (Crkva Svete Katarine)

Address: Katarina Trg, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 485 1959
Situated in the Upper Town's Katarina Trg is the Church of St. Catherine, a 'cute' church from the 1600s that comes in a Baroque style and has seen various fires and earthquakes over the centuries. The facade of the Jesuit Church of St. Catherine is beautiful and well-kept, while inside is some impressive stucco work originating from the 1720s and a stunning ancient altar dating from the 1760s.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 12:00
Admission: free

Zagreb Cathedral / Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Katedrala Marijina Uznesenja)

Address: Kaptol Trg, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 481 4727
Zagreb Cathedral - full title, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is an imposing Gothic cathedral situated in the Kaptol district and rather dominating Kaptol Square. The cathedral is twin-towered and comes with an eye-popping door and stained-glass windows. The present cathedral hails from the latter part of the 13th century, although there has been one onsite for 1,000 years. Following earthquake damage in 1880, much reconstruction work was necessary and the present-day neo-Gothic facade hails from the beginning of the 20th century. The interior is grand, with Baroque altars and a variety of other architectural splendours. Masses are held here all through the week. If you have time, check out the remains of the 18th-century Archbishop's palace, to the north.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 19:30
Admission: free

Parliament Building (Croatian Sabor)

Address: Markov Trg, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
The Sabor, which literally translated means the 'Assembly', serves as Croatia's Parliament Building and political hub, and presides over the Markov Trg (St. Mark's Square), being located on the eastern side of this spacious public square. Constructed in 1910, the Sabor was actually built upon the site of a number of Baroque townhouses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. This landmark boasts attractive neo-classical architecture and over the years has played host to many important political events and announcements, including the proclamation that Croatia had withdrawn from the empire of Austria-Hungary.
Open hours: view from the exterior only
Admission: free

St. Mark's Church (Crkva Svetog Marka)

Address: Markov Trg, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 481 4727
One of the most distinctive and easily recognisable landmarks in the city is St. Mark's Church, famous for its very elaborate patterned tiled roof, which contrasts greatly with the plain white walls and simple structure. It is believed that the church has its roots in the 13th century, although this particular roof wasn't added until much later, in 1880. The tiled shields depicted on the roof show the Croatian, Dalmatian and Slavonian coat of arms, as well as the emblem of Zagreb.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 16:00, 17:30 to 19:00
Admission: free

Lotrscak Tower (Kula Lotrscak)

Address: Strossmayerovo Setaliste, Zagreb, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 01 485 1926
The Lotrscak Tower dates from the mid-13th century, being constructed in order to protect the southern gate from possible attack. For more than a century, a cannon has been fired from the tower each day at 12:00 noon, to commemorate a moment in history, when a cannon was fired at attacking Turks and ended up hitting a rooster instead. It is romanticised that this incident affected the moral of the Turks, who then decided to retreat. Others simply say that the precise cannon firing is to enable churches throughout Zagreb to ensure that their clocks are running accurately. Those feeling full of energy may like to climb to the top of the bell tower to take in the stunning cityscape panoramas. Nearby, a historic working funicular railway connects the Lower Town with the Upper Town.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge