Due to its centuries-old parks and the near-by Medvednica Mountain, Zagreb can be rightfully considered one of the greenest European capitals. This cult of greenery and flowers has not been cherished only in most beautiful city parks but along its streets and squares as well.
In the old Lower Town core there is a number of representative old park-squares: Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Square, King Tomislav Square, Ante Starčević Square, Marko Marulić Square and Ivan Mažuranić Square; they have been carefully arranged since 1872 in the manners of historicism, reflecting the harmony of architecture and greenery. This green entity, a line of parks, is followed by representative public objects, fountains and picturesque pavilions.
One of the pearls in the green necklace is the Botanical Garden which has, during a hundred years of its existence, developed into one of the richest plant collections in Europe. The main part of the garden – the arboretum, is shaped in the landscape style, while the smaller part is planted with flowers in the geometrical, Classicist style. Today the Garden raises about 10.000 species of plants, with some 1800 tropic flora specimens.
Maksimir Park, an ideal combination of an English garden-style park and a park-woods, is situated in the eastern part of the city – it was the first public promenade ion south-eastern Europe. It was open to public in 1794 and was named after its founder, the Zagreb Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac. Today maksimir occupies and area of over 18 hectares which includes the Zoo as well. On the expanses of cleared old oak woods many alleys were formed, as well as lawns and clearings covered with various decorative trees and bushes.
The lakes and brooks were regulated, and the park was enriched by several buildings constructed in different styles – from the Classicist to the Neo-gothic. The romantic atmosphere of Maksimir was completed in 1925 with the Zoo Garden situated by the Lower Lake.
In the immediate vicinity of the central Zagreb square, on the place that was once a pond, lies now Ribnjak Park, the favourite children’s playground. It was formed in 1829 and today occupies an area of almost 40.000 square meters.
The natural forest Tuškanac (an area of 30 hectares), cutting itself like a peg into the heart of the city, lies quite near to Ilica. The atmosphere of a natural spot is given by densely grown sesile oaks, hornbeams and beechtrees. Tuškanac stretches its green arms towards Rokov perivoj and the Upper Town on one side, and to the promenade of Zelengaj on the other.
The park-cemetery Mirogoj, situated on the slopes Medvednica Mountain, is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. However, Mirogoj is not only the burial place but also a beautiful park and an open-air art gallery.
Above the city, from the south-west to the north-east, rises Medvednica Mountain. The top part of Medvednica has been proclaimed the protected nature park. It rises 1033 m above the sea level.
The newest pearl in Zagreb green necklace is Bundek lake, the park situated near Sava river where this year’s Floraart, International Garden Show was held.
The price per person includes: 2 overnights with breakfast in a double room in a 3* hotel, return airport transfer, city tour (walk & bus), guided visit to Zagreb parks.
With its rich and long touristic experience Kompas Zagreb will help you enjoy Croatia in the best possible way, so do not hesitate to contact us by phone, fax or e-mail. We can make your hotel reservations, arrange arrival transfers, rent a car, prepare tickets for different events, organize excursions etc.
