Zagreb

Community Highlights Europe Zagreb

Besides being the capital city of Croatia, this city has so much to offer. Restaurants, galleries, churches, museums and other landmarks make this a vibrant and interesting place to visit.

We start with a funicular ride which is an easy walk from the center of town. It's nothing special but it's been in operation since 1893 and it does make for a quick and easy trip to the Upper Town. Our destination is the Museum of Broken Relationships. I read about it...it sounded different...and it was.

Yes, it is a museum that is dedicated to items people kept that remind them of broken relationships. These keepsakes are just as intriguing as the name suggests. Eash piece has a little story of a real person who donated the item and what it meant to them. As you walk from item to item you can feel their feelings of loss, loneliness or relief since they were written by that person to whom the item belonged....as opposed to the museum curator.

There are many other museums in Zagreb like the Museum of Illusions, the Torture Museum, Zagreb City Museum , Museum of Arts and Crafts... and actually, too many to mention.

St Mark's is a famous landmark and recognizable by its red, white and blue tiled roof with the White Castle (Zagreb's Coat of Arms) for all to see. The architecture is beautiful along with it's winding streets and unique shops which line the sidewalks. The open-air markets are abundant and offer everything from fruits and veggies, flowers, wreaths and stands with Liciter hearts.

We couldn't miss the Stone Gate oath site. Flickering candles, silent prayer and hope greet passersby when you walk through this gate.. This is the most significant oath site in Zagreb. When you walk through, you can stop and light a candle and pray for health, happiness, good luck and love. The "Virgin and Child" is guarded by an impressive baroque fence built in 1778. A long time ago, Virgin Mary of Stone Gate became the most significant oath site where people came to find comfort and hope. They lit candles as a token of gratitude or a prayer. Many townspeople of Zagreb got their prayers answered and plaques with engravings hang on the walls in gratitude. Everyday in Zagreb, people stop by and light candles and pray.