The capital and largest city in Croatia, Zagreb has been around since the 1100’s. Elevation 158m, population about 767,000. Give or take a few. 

It was a wet rainy, and as turns out, cold, day in Zagreb.

We wandered.

The casino is close to where we are staying, the security guard out the front had a real live gun attached to his hip.

We headed uphill towards the Catholic Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Stephen and Ladislav. Second tallest building in Croatia. The Zagreb March 2020, 5.3 magnitude earthquake damaged the spires; it is currently being repaired.  Horrible shame. The inside is apparently something quite remarkable. At 108.4 metres high it is one of the tallest churches in the world.  

The Blessed Virgin Mary statue out front seemed to be looking straight down at me. Reminding me to behave. 

From there we headed to see the shortest Funicular in the world, actually up to Gornji Grad (upper town) making pictures as we travelled. Of course.

On the way, Marina Juric Zagorka, journalist, writer and woman’s activist, born 1873, was standing right out in front of the sun dial. Two touristy things at once. Bonus….

The Funicular is 66 metres with a grade of 52%. Being total legends having tackled those hills in Dubrovnik, we weren’t afraid of walking up that 52%. Actually it was steps. To be fair. 

At the top of the Funicular is Lotrščak Tower. It’s the white building in this photo, with the funny green thing on top.

A tour group was at the tower, waiting for the Grič canon to go off.  Since 1 January 1877, the cannon is fired from the tower every day at midday. Not from the funny green thing on top but from a window. 

Apparently the locals always cover their ears, we didn’t think it was that loud. We are both on the deaf side as our kids will tell you.

Ironically we listened to what the tour guide was telling the group. Might as well get some free learning in. The guide pointed out an apartment complex called Mamutica. A little mini city. The apartment is about 250 metres long, 60 metres high with 19 floors. There are 1263 apartments and more people live there than in some of the cities of Croatia. The architect wanted to make 60% of this area into parks and gardens and could only achieve that by high density living. Apparently those who live there love the community they live within. 

Headed onwards past the Greek Catholic Concathedral. Churches are so peaceful and calming. 

Not quite finished with churches, and not wanting to play favourites, we checked out Saint Mark’s Church with its amazing coloured tile roof. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city and dates back to the 13th century.  The building on the left of this picture is the Prime Minister of Croatia’s  office. So another tour guide I eavesdropped on said.

Headed to the Stone Gate, where right beside sits the Black Eagle Pharmacy. Established in 1355 it is the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe. 

The Stone Gate, built between 1242 and 1266, includes a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary where Catholics come to light candles and pray to her. 

By this time the rain had set in, as you will see from this photo of a driver reversing under cover of his umbrella.

MoD had not packed his coat, much to his wife’s disgust (that’s me) so it was a rather opportune time to visit the Museum of Broken Relationships. As my SIL Lori would say ‘what a hoot’. 

An hour and a half later we emerged having read some rather funny and sometimes sad stories. 

The museum grew from a travelling exhibition revolving around the concept of failed relationships and their ruins. A self help way of recovering from grief and loss. The exhibits and stories have been donated from all around the world. 

I really wanted to buy a notebook at the shop on the way in but can’t fit one single itty bitty thing into my case. Not even a magnet.

It had been a while since we had eaten so we headed down the hill….yes more photos.

Highly recommend Kozel Pub. One of the few places we have found recently where they aren’t smoking inside – in the wise words of Kimmy (Kath & Kim) REVOLTING. Smoking has been a huge issue for me on this trip. I really just can’t stand the fact a lot of people, of all generations, smoke. Inside. In this day and age of easy education (the interweb 😜), it’s just plain dumb. Anyway Kozel had nice food and pleasant staff.

Found the famous farmers ‘bustling’ markets, they had all gone home.

By this time it was quite wet. Only thing to do was head back to the hotel and wait for our next meal.

Took more photos on the way.

This one reminds me of Melbourne, maybe Collin’s Street. Nothing to do with Mackas.

After a nap, we headed out into the rain to eat at Restoran Kvatrić. It’s just around the corner. Silly me. I forgot when you order fish here you get it whole (with its beady eyes looking at you) and obviously with bones in. I have a big aversion to unfilleted fish. MoD to the rescue. His gnocchi was rather delish. I am such a Princess. 👸

We like Zagreb, there is a lot to see and do even when it is raining and cold plus the people are warm and welcoming.

Tomorrow morning we get up at stupid time to travel to Orlando and meet most of the family. I can’t wait.