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Main Cities
Croatia’s economic, cultural and administrative heart sits on the north bank of the river Sava. Its historic nuclei, Gradec and Kaptol, in Gornji Grad (Upper Town), were founded in the Middle Ages. Here, a labyrinth of peaceful cobbled streets links the city’s oldest and finest monuments: the Cathedral, St Mark’s Church (noted for its red, white and blue tiled roof) and the Sabor (seat of the Croatian Parliament). At the foot of the Upper Town lie Trg Bana Jelacic, the main square, and Dolac, the colourful open-air market. The main square links the Upper Town to Donji Grad (Lower Town), the commercial centre of modern-day Zagreb, with theatres, shops, cinemas, museums and cafes. A number of important 19th-century public buildings are located here, including Glavni Kolodvor (Main Train Station), the imposing neo-Baroque Croatian National Theatre and the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Regarding museums, the Museum of Arts and Crafts traces Croatian craftsmanship from the Renaissance up to the present day, while the Mimara Museum presents a rich collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics from abroad. Also worth visiting are the Museum of Zagreb, the Archaeological Museum and the Gallery of Nave Art. The city boasts one of Europe’s very first planned parks: Maksimir, a magnificent feat of landscaping, with lakes, pavilions and sculptures, dating back to 1794.
Unanimously considered the jewel of Croatia, Dubrovnik is best known for its well-preserved historic centre contained within 13th-century city walls, its terracotta rooftops, and a stunning location overlooking the Adriatic. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city was a wealthy independent republic up until 1808. The finest monuments date back to those golden years: the 16th-century Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery (home to Europe’s oldest pharmacy), and a number of delightful baroque churches, including the Cathedral, St Blaise’s Church and the Jesuit Church. Also worth visiting is the Maritime Museum, which highlights Dubrovnik’s former importance as a world naval power. Each summer, from mid-July to late August, the city hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, featuring various cultural events plus open-air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music.
The city of Split was founded in the third century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Today, the traffic-free historic centre lies within the imposing walls of Diocletian’s Palace, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A vibrant cafe scene focuses on the Roman Peristil, presided over by the majestic Cathedral with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower. The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments displays early Croatian religious art, while the Meatrovic Gallery celebrates the country’s best-known 20th-century sculptor. On the hill above town, Marjan, an extensive nature reserve planted with pine woods and fragrant Mediterranean shrubs, affords stunning views over the Adriatic. During the Split Summer Festival, held annually from mid-July to mid-August, the city becomes an open-air stage with nighttime opera and concerts.
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