Zagreb

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Welcome to Zagreb

Zagreb, the capital city of the Republic of Croatia, is one of the most beautiful, but also one of the youngest European capitals…

With county status, Zagreb is the administrative, economic, diplomatic and cultural center of the country. The first laic city school was opened in the middle of the 14th century, the first high school was founded in the 16th century, while the university was founded in the second half of the same century.

Zagreb is a city of science and culture. The oldest Croatian National Theatre, a neo-Baroque building, was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1895. From spring to autumn many open-air plays and exhibitions are held, and are a real attraction for visitors, ensuring a special atmosphere in the city. Here too are other attractions like the lively outdoor market, one of the last in Europe, which is an absolutely first class experience for all those who come to Zagreb.

A stroll through Zagreb is an interesting and pleasant trip through history and the present. The longest Zagreb street, Ilica; divides the old and romantic Uptown from the younger and always busy Downtown. The oldest parts Gradec and Kaptol, from which Zagreb grew, are ranked among the most beautiful preserved secession centres in Europe. The Uptown and Downtown are also connected by the Stone gate, another recognisable Zagreb postcard image which is linked to legends and beliefs, faith and peace.

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Episcopacy founded

1094

Population

795,505 (2011)

Free Royal city since

1242

Dear students and athletes, Dear friends of sports and education, Honoured guests and invitees

It is my great honour and pleasure, as the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, to extend you a warm welcome to the European University Games taking place simultaneously in two Croatian cities, Zagreb and Rijeka. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that our city, the City of Zagreb, has become in the past 10 years a true centre of sports diversity.

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Various sporting events and a wide array of development and care for the sports branch have proven this claim, making life in our city better for all who live in it. Using synergy and sharing a love of sports we have accomplished our goal – becoming a host city of the European University Games. We achieved this goal due to the fact that our country, Croatia, and our city, Zagreb, are greatly visited sports destinations in general. The picture we send out from Zagreb and Rijeka will be viewed worldwide and will reflect on Croatia, as the 28th EU member. This being said, we are aware of the political, business, cultural, and other effects sports has in connecting our homeland Croatia with the world.

We can proudly claim that we have always been and will continue to be a great host to major sporting events. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who enabled Croatia, Zagreb, and Rijeka to become hosts of one of the biggest sporting events in university sports on the old continent – the European University Games. I wish all the athletes a successful competition, especially to our student representatives, that they may in the best way possible represent our homeland, the Republic of Croatia. Dear guests, invitees, and visitors from afar, on behalf of the citizens of the City of Zagreb and myself, I wish you a pleasant stay in our country and in its capital city, the City of Zagreb.

Marko Vrdoljak | Turistička zajednica grada Zagreba

Marko Vrdoljak | City of Zagreb, tourism board

Marko Vrdoljak | Turistička zajednica grada Zagreba

For some, the most recognisable part of Zagreb is the neo-Gothic Zagreb Cathedral situated on the Kaptol square and although it took centuries to build, the present day appearance originated at the end of the 19th century. Others will mostly take away memories of the always lively central square Trg bana Josipa Jelačića or even the Zagreb version of the Louvre – the Mimara Museum. Among Zagreb’s sights is also the oldest Zagreb graveyard Mirogoj which was opened in 1876.

Zagreb is also the stage for many cultural and other international events which Zagreb intensively expiriences. A city filled with a young population is predestined to also be an exceptionally sports orientated city with many sports facilities, including European and World champions medal winners in many sports.

However, our tour of Zagreb does not end here. The greatest value of this city for many is its atmosphere and the people you’ll meet here. Zagreb has a story and heart, a big heart.