Zagreb Daily Photo

2011-02-13T18:58:00.000+01:00

Dear readers,

after a long thinking, deciding, changing thought and all the doubts and questions that came along the way I finally decided to stop writing this blog. Although I really liked the concept at first (and that was one of the main reasons why I ever started this blog) now I kind of got tired of it. And if it doesn't make me happy anymore I honestly don't see the point of doing it. Still, good news is that I plan on starting a new blog very soon. The subject will still be Zagreb but I plan to make a completely new concept which should present my own vision of Zagreb! All the things I love and also all the things I don't like so much about this city. At this very spot you will be able to find a new blog address and all the other necessary details soon!

I would also like to use this moment to thank all the subscribers and followers for reading and commenting! Thank you very much! Hope to see you all in a short while on a new blog!

Hugs,
Helena

A Women's World

2011-02-08T23:04:00.000+01:00

This photo I took at The Centre for Women's Studies which is placed in the Memorial apartment of Marija Jurić Zagorka. I already made one post about Zagorka - a Croatian writer and journalist who was a fighter for human rights, especially women’s human rights. So I find this place a happy symbiosis - a true center where cultural heritage and education and research meet! It is a very warm place where one can always feel welcomed!

Mermaid graffiti

2011-02-07T23:56:00.000+01:00

Miškec passage

Belfry

2011-02-06T23:47:00.000+01:00

Church of St. Vinko Paulski, Frankopanska street

Sunny Saturday

2011-02-05T22:59:00.000+01:00

Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) and Strossmayer Gallery, Strossmayer Square

Uspinjača - Zagreb Funicular

2011-02-04T23:14:00.000+01:00

So, this is probably one of the most commonly photographed views in Zagreb. Here you can see the Zagreb Funicular built in 1890 that still operates and is connecting the Lower town and Ilica street with Upper town known as Gradec. Also here you can see the Tower Lotrščak I already told you about in one of my earlier posts.

Have a nice weekend everybody!

Twilight over Zrinjevac

2011-02-03T23:44:00.002+01:00

It was finally sunny in Zagreb! And sadly I missed it because of work. However, I took this photo of beautiful park Zrinjevac during twilight.

Window Virgin Mary

2011-02-02T23:46:00.000+01:00

Tkalčićeva street

February theme day - Manduševac at night

2011-02-01T23:55:00.002+01:00

This is Manduševac - one of the most popular Zagreb fountains and a true city symbol! It is located on the Zagreb main square at the place where a real well used to be and was commonly used by people of Zagreb in the old days.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Wishing for spring to come

2011-01-31T23:05:00.002+01:00

I can't wait for spring and warmer weather! A the moment the temperature is still low and the weather is mostly gray. This photo I took few days ago - it was such a bliss! This is Mažuranac (Mažuranić Square) and park near the Croatian national theater.

History?

2011-01-30T23:43:00.009+01:00

I would really like to know how often do people use these nowadays? And is it becoming history?

Museum

2011-01-29T23:55:00.007+01:00

Arts and Crafts Museum - detail

Toilet paper art

2011-01-28T23:33:00.002+01:00

Marija Jurić Zagorka City Library, Krvavi most

Balconies...

2011-01-27T22:52:00.000+01:00

Marko Marulić Square

Winter resting?!

2011-01-26T23:55:00.006+01:00

Today was a sunny and a quite warm day! So, I had a master plan to use the situation (after doing some field work) and take a walk through the Botanical garden to relax and take some sunny winter photos. But sadly, the garden was closed due to the so called ''winter resting'' (from 1st of November till the 1st of April). I could not believe! and it made me so sad! I mean, I know that everything is ''dead'' but still the nature can be also very beautiful during winter! And I really don't understand why people could not take a walk through the garden while plants have it's ''winter resting''? Only if it is supposed to be resting from the visitors?! (OK, I'm being a bit sarcastic here!).

After work #2

2011-01-25T23:43:00.000+01:00

Čazmanska street, Vrbik

After work #1

2011-01-24T23:42:00.000+01:00

Pothodnik, Importanne Center, Zagreb main train station

Keep universities public and make them free for all

2011-01-23T23:52:00.009+01:00

I already had two posts considering students fight for free education - things didn't move far ahead but sadly it is even getting worse. At the moment government is trying to bring new laws about universities and higher education that will destroy universities as we know it and bring the principles of free market and private interest. Some university professors and institute scientists have started organizing actions against this new laws considering it the worst-case scenario for free public education and science.

Theater ITD

2011-01-22T23:50:00.002+01:00

Theater ITD, SC, Savska street

Fair of Culture

2011-01-21T23:56:00.010+01:00

The popular Student's center (SC) has organized 7. Fair of Culture from 20. till 23. of January. The schedule is rich with all sort of events - music, theater productions, art, performances, movies, and lots more. So, if you're in Zagreb drop by the SC and enjoy the shows!

Old factory Gorica

2011-01-20T23:45:00.002+01:00

This is an old factory building Gorica located in Šubićeva street in the east part of Zagreb. It is one of many factories that are left to ruin and have no purpose (or at least an acceptable one!) in the city. Some time ago I had a post about one positive example of revitalization of industrial heritage - an old cigarette factory that's supposed to be a new building for Croatian history museum. I really hope that there will be more initiatives promoting revitalization of industrial heritage in Zagreb because this current situation is definitely the worst possible.

Christmas lights...

2011-01-19T23:57:00.002+01:00

Well, Christmas is long gone but the lights still remain.

Fog

2011-01-18T23:50:00.002+01:00

Eurotower building

Bad Blue Beuys

2011-01-17T23:55:00.001+01:00

This is a graffiti that's been here for quite some time now - in Teslina street between BP Club and Gallery Nova. And I believe that this location is not a coincidence, as the nearby Gallery Nova is dealing with the contemporary art and BP Club is a legendary jazz club. But to fully understand this graffiti one must know something about Joseph Beuys, an extraordinary German artist and also, the fact that Bad Blue Boys is the name of the supporters group of Zagreb football (soccer) team Dinamo. So, I see this as a huge irony in a way - but still think that Beuys would like the idea, especially taking in consideration the fact that probably most of the members of BBB doesn't have a clue who Beuys is.

Contemplating...

2011-01-16T23:57:00.002+01:00

Zdenac života - The Well of Life

Rising moon and falling sun

2011-01-15T23:50:00.002+01:00

Part of the Oktogon building taken from the Flower square

Street lights

2011-01-14T23:50:00.002+01:00

Medvedgradska street

Inside the tram

2011-01-13T23:49:00.001+01:00

I bring you today one photo from the Zagreb tram. It is my everyday reality - a common transportation from home to work and around the city. Sadly, it is not too efficient but there are not many alternatives. And the number of cars has increased to the point that it is becoming unbearable. We need a new public transport policy immediately!

Green...

2011-01-12T23:53:00.002+01:00

Croatian national theater

An artist and a poet

2011-01-11T21:30:00.013+01:00

I've been visiting several exhibitions lately and I must say it is one of the things I really enjoy doing! Few days ago I went to see the exhibition called ''Vlado Martek: Poetry in Action'' which was held at the Miroslav Kraljević Gallery.

In this post I want to introduce to you Vlado Martek (born in 1951.) - one of the most important Croatian contemporary artists. He is not formally educated to be an artist, but he graduated literature and philosophy on the Zagreb Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and that's what, in my opinion, helped him become such an influential and productive artist. Along with his art works he also writes poetry and often combines this two activities. As he once wrote: ''Taking pen in hand is always an act of honesty.''

Love for Zagreb

2011-01-10T23:52:00.002+01:00

Povrh starog Griča brda
kao junak lijep i mlad,
smjele glave, čela tvrda,
slavni stoji Zagreb-grad.
Živ ponosit
Jak prkosit,
Kad slobode plane boj.
Tko tu klik'o nebi:
'Slava, slava tebi,
Zagreb-grade divni moj'

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August Šenoa is one of the most important Croatian writers who lived in 19. century. He was a true Zagrepčan, born in 1838., lived in Zagreb whole his life and at the end died here after some health problems after the Zagreb Great Earthquake in 1881. He was born in Vlaška street - a famous old street where I took this photo. I must say I really love it!

Renaissance time...

2011-01-09T23:51:00.002+01:00

Andrija Medulić also known as Andrea Schiavone was a famous Croatian Renaissance painter and etcher who lived in the first half of the 16. century. He was born in Zadar (Croatia) but mainly worked in Venice (Italy). He was one of the representatives of the Mannerism style and he influenced young Titian and Tintoretto. This sculpture is placed on the Zrinjevac as an honour to this great man.

Flaming sky!

2011-01-08T18:51:00.000+01:00

For some especially beautiful moments in life one just has to get up early!

View of the mountain Medvednica

Is it love?

2011-01-07T22:10:00.003+01:00

Oktogon passage

Rhythm...

2011-01-06T23:55:00.007+01:00

Croatian national theater

It makes you think...

2011-01-05T23:51:00.002+01:00

Yesterdays photo was from the exhibition that I went to see the other day. It is, apparently, about one great Croatian artist - Josip Vaništa - and his work in the Gorgon group and post-Gorgon time from the 1961. till today. Josip Vaništa is 86 years old man and still very lucid and full of life! I recommend visiting this exhibition in Zagreb Gliptoteka (Glyptotheque) in Medvedgradska street, not far away from Zagreb main square. The exhibition is open till the 31st of January. Definitely a must see!

Josip Vaništa / Gorgona

2011-01-04T23:50:00.015+01:00

''The Gorgon had a distinctive dimension, it wanted to be free from time, from places and things. In its time the reality progressed to the absence. My part was to work on the void. The Gorgon was for me the important thing in life that comes from outside.'' Josip Vaništa*, 1988.

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* Josip Vaništa is one of the most important Croatian artists of the 20th century. He was part of the Gorgon - group of artist who all had one aim, to shift the boundary between art and ordinary life.

Skating!

2011-01-03T23:45:00.002+01:00

This winter city government decided to install an open skating rink which is not a bad idea but... as always on a wrong location. It is on a Zagreb main square with several other objects and constructions so that the square looks too crowded and unpleasant. Much better decision would be to place it on a different square or any meadow in one of many parks. I will never understand the governments need to put everything on the main square!

Snow at Dolac

2011-01-02T23:22:00.000+01:00

It was snowing today again and the temperature was low! But what else should we expect in winter, no?! I took this photo at Dolac - main city open market just few meters from Zagreb main square. Dolac was designed by Croatian architect Vjekoslav Bastl between 1926. and 1930. It is consisted of two parts, an open part at the top and the closed, sort of underground, part at the bottom. I must show you once how the market looks colorful and lively during the day!

January 2011 theme day: Photo of the year 2010

2011-01-01T23:34:00.000+01:00

So, I decided to follow the CDP tradition and chose one of my photos for the Theme Day as the best photo of the year 2010. I must say it wasn't easy pick and I was torn between putting visually and aesthetically interesting photo or one with the best story behind it or importance for Zagreb. And this one is a sort of a compromise - visually attractive but with a big controversy behind the whole project of the building. Also, I'm going to brake up one CDP rule and give you a bonus photo to help you see a little bit more of what I was photographing here.

And just one more note, it was one of my first posts back in April. ;)

Also, click here to view the thumbnails of all the participants in this Theme Day.

Things will change...

2010-12-31T19:59:00.000+01:00

So, another year is behind us! And everybody seems to be thrilled that it has passed! I must say I'm really not a big fan of the whole New Year craze and personally don't get it. Somehow I see the New Year as a big deception that we put in front of us, thinking that the things will change with the changing of the years number - but it won't! Things will change when we start changing them! So, I wish you all a lot of new decisions and good changes! Cheers!

Winter days...

2010-12-30T23:00:00.004+01:00

Sometimes winter days can be so special! No matter the cold and short days, snow can really make everything look so calm and misty. Maybe you can already guess - yes, this is a shot of the place where I live in the west part of the city. It wasn't the early morning but actually dusk and the light was magical!

State of mind...

2010-12-29T23:15:00.000+01:00

I posted a photo recently showing the ''new'' building of the National and University Library, maybe you remember it. :) And today I had some work to do there and decided to show you one part of the interior - more precisely the entrance hall. At the time I was taking this photo I was so exhausted and confused that I feel like this motif corresponds with the overall feeling! OK,... I'll stop here... before I say something completely irrational and silly...

Dramatic moments!

2010-12-28T20:36:00.003+01:00

There are some sculptures in Zagreb which have really long and rich history that makes them a certain city symbol. This is one of such sculptures - Anton Dominik Fernkorn's Saint George killing the dragon made in 1853. At first it was placed in the beautiful park Maksimir in 1867. and than moved to the Strossmayer square 1884. Now it is situated at the Marshal Tito square near the Croatian national theater. I'm really not sure that this last location is appropriate enough as it is somehow hidden behind the trees and bushes. I must drive your attention to the one more detail - I've made a post last summer about another Saint George killing the dragon sculpture at the Upper town which has a completely different vibe! Check it out!

Only crazy ducks and me...

2010-12-27T18:02:00.002+01:00

Today I decided to take a walk by the lake Jarun ambitiously eager to take few photos of the lake surroundings on the cold winter sun. What I did not have in mind is that, not only was it really cold, but it was also quite windy and I almost froze to death! It serves me right! Still I got a chance to take this photo just for you to see how sunny it is in Zagreb (and will apparently be the whole next week!). Also, please notice how this crazy ducks don't mind the cold at all!

Flower decoration

2010-12-26T13:22:00.000+01:00

I've already showed you this Kallina house in one of my earlier post and now I will use this opportunity to show you a detail of it- as it is sooo beautiful! With this kind of decoration you can only imagine how this house really stands out!
And now on a completely different subject - we had a few sunny days before Christmas and now it is snowing again. But it is really nothing in comparison to what is happening in the western and northern parts of Europe these days. And the weather forecast for the next week... sunny and sunny all the way! :)

Sretan Božić! Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T00:17:00.000+01:00

My dear readers,

I wish you all merry Christmas and all the best!

X X X

Christmas is coming...

2010-12-24T01:25:00.000+01:00

So, did you prepare everything for Christmas?! Well, this is your last chance! I must say I didn't bother too much this year. I bought some Christmas ornaments and presents already last week hoping to escape the last minute craze. This photo I took at the local shop (name not important!) and thought it was so cheerful to see all the colours and shapes of the Christmas bulbs!

Old and forgotten...

2010-12-23T01:05:00.000+01:00

Some of you probably know what this presents, but maybe not so much what it actually is. Well, it presents Centauromachy - which is a battle between the Centaurs and Lapiths, the famous story from Greek mythology. I really love Greek mythology and all the stories because it presents such an intriguing world. But, this actually is the plaster cast of the original Greek metope from the Parthenon now placed in the British museum. This photo I took at the Zagreb Faculty of humanities and social sciences which holds the most interesting and valuable collection of plaster casts made from the originals in London, Berlin and Greece.

Winter sun and long shadows

2010-12-22T21:18:00.000+01:00

It's been sunny and unusually warm yesterday and today. As you can see, snow is almost all gone and it felt like spring is coming. But this is not for long because we are expecting more snow this weekend! And it surely would be nice to have a white Christmas!

At strike!

2010-12-21T01:07:00.000+01:00

This banner says: ''Radio 101 is at strike!'' It is one of many companies and firms in Croatia that went into big debt and are having problems with paying workers for their work. So, the workers are in strike for several months now and nobody can really say for how much long! This economic crises produced too many sad stories! I took this photo in the Teslina street where the headquarters of legendary Zagreb Radio 101 are situated.

So much rich music history in one place...

2010-12-20T00:05:00.002+01:00

I told you some details about The Croatian Music Institute ten days ago and I took a chance to go and see (and hear of course!) one concert presented by The Zagreb Music Academy. It was wonderful and I really had a great time! And all that excitement was free of charge! So, while waiting for the concert to start I took this photo showing part of the richly decorated interior! I really should come here more often!

Ilica - the Zagreb artery

2010-12-19T12:35:00.003+01:00

This is a view from Zagreb main square to the Ilica street. Ilica is the longest street in Zagreb and was one of the most important for years. It leads from the Zagreb main square to the west part of the city and quarter Vrapče. It is mentioned for the first time in historic documents in the year 1431. Through the years it was and still is main craftsmen and tradesmen street, with many shops and café bars.

Trees in winter

2010-12-18T19:11:00.000+01:00

Yesterday evening we had another portion of heavy snowfall and the morning turned out to be really white! Children were happy, elders not so much. Still, some other parts of Croatia had even heavier snowfall and some problems in traffic occurred. But hey, what else can you expect in winter than snow and any problem that might come out of it?!
Here you can see another photo of lovely tree tops on Zrinjevac park and square.

I wish you all a nice weekend!

''Snow White'' building

2010-12-17T10:00:00.004+01:00

I'm always so happy to see newly restored buildings and facades in my very much loved city Zagreb. This restored ''Snow White'' building I noticed at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer square the other day. I must say I was hoping it would be restored for years now. Finally it is perfectly finished for Christmas and somehow it does remind me of winter and Christmas time. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Neo-Romanic building in Zagreb.

Gavella - the rebels theater

2010-12-16T23:49:00.004+01:00

This is the Theater Gavella, one of the most important theaters in Zagreb. It was established in 1953. after a group of artists decided to quit their work for the Croatian national theater and started to work in, what was than called, ''Small theater'' under the name of Zagrebačko dramsko kazalište (possible translation would be Zagreb theater of drama) .The leader of this ''rebellions'' was Branko Gavella, important Croatian theater director. The theater changed its name to the Theater Gavella in the year 1970. in the honor of this great man.

Frozen flowers

2010-12-15T12:58:00.000+01:00

What else could this be but frozen plants - more precisely frozen Violas! They were all so sweet just a month ago, and now it is all covered with snow and frozen to it's bits. This reminds me of the posts I did in the Botanical garden during last spring and summer. I wonder how it all looks like now?! - if I'll be near one day I'll take a few photos for you!

What an artist!

2010-12-14T12:00:00.001+01:00

I went to an art exhibition the other day to the Umjetnički paviljon (The Art Pavilion) that's located at the north side of the King Tomislav square. I went there to see the retrospective exhibition of one great and very important Croatian artist - Marijan Trepše. He was a painter (very talented in watercolours and graphic techniques) and one of the key figures of the 20. century art in Croatia. The art works displayed at this exhibition are really beautiful and interesting - it is such a shame that the exhibition itself wasn't designed better as a visitor can not gain much information about the artist or his work here. And this artist really deserves an exhibition that's going to be more than just a pictures on a wall.

Four elegant ladies!

2010-12-13T23:37:00.001+01:00

What do you say about this four ladies? Don't they look so stylish and elegant? Ready for a New Year's Eve or some crazy Christmas diner. I took this photo in the center of Zagreb the other evening. I must say that this year more and more shops offer early discounts and sales and special offers because people are spending less money than ever. The true reason is that most of them just don't have the money and can't afford a lot of these things. And after all Christmas should be more about the family than the presents, don't you think?!

Angel looking from above

2010-12-12T21:29:00.001+01:00

We had a really nice weekend in Zagreb and the weather was great! So, this time I have this beautiful detail from a building on the King Tomislav square. And it is such a nice promenade that goes from the Main train station to the Zagreb main square! Definitely a must see if you'll ever visit Zagreb!

Sunny winter day...

2010-12-11T02:45:00.002+01:00

We are really having crazy weather these days. Yesterday, just few moments before I took this photo, it was snowing and the sun was shinning at the same time! It was really crazy watching snow fall on the sunny streets. I took this photo at beautiful Zagreb park Zrinjevac. Look at these trees, aren't they just gorgeous? And really very old!

I wish you all a nice weekend! Take care and rest a bit!

The sound of music I love!

2010-12-10T01:50:00.000+01:00

This is not a specially eye catching photo but it shows a place very dear to me. It is The Croatian Music Institute - a place where I used to go quite often during my high school days (Gymnasium education) as we had a pretty ambitious music professor. I remember a lots of good and interesting classical music concerts! The Croatian Music Institute is the oldest music institution in Croatia. It was founded in Zagreb in 1827. as a music loving society - Societas filharmonica zagrebiensis - also known as Musikverein.

Fritule for you...

2010-12-09T23:05:00.000+01:00

Although I am not a big fan of winter, there is one thing about the Christmas time I really like - it is all the delicacy you can buy on the Christmas fairs around the city. One of it is Fritule - a typical dessert from the Mediterranean part of Croatia. So, not really typical for Zagreb, but still something you should definitely try! I found great description and recipe on this blog - Sweet sensation.

One thing always worth fighting for!

2010-12-08T23:22:00.000+01:00

This is one thing I would definitely recommend you to go and see if in Zagreb - Human Rights Film Festival (HRFF)! It is an annual Zagreb-based film festival and this year it is held from December 6.-11. in Kino Europa. There are always lots of good films to watch which are all dealing with highly important issues considering human rights. This year's theme in focus is Publicity - a well chosen theme if you ask me!

Clouds all around...

2010-12-07T22:33:00.000+01:00

I'm going to be completely honest with you here - I've been ill for several days last week (nothing serious, just cold, but still very unpleasant!) and also incredibly busy as the end of the year approaches. So, I must say I didn't go anywhere and didn't do anything worth mentioning! As a result I am a bit short on photos to show you here and that makes me really sad! Never the less, I'll do my best to organize myself better in the future. As for a today's photo, it is the same view I showed you several times already and I have a feeling it will become a ''trade mark'' of this blog. The mountain Medvednica was all covered in clouds today and it even rained, but the temperature was quite high for this time of year - around 14°C (which is around 57°F).

Happy Name Day Nikola Tesla!

2010-12-06T23:08:00.001+01:00

''I consider it to be my duty, as a son of my country, to help the city of Zagreb in any way with an advice or act - said in this building Nikola Tesla, May 24th, 1892. when he proposed to the city council a construction of the central power station of alternating current.''

This memorial was put next to the entrance of the city council in honor of this great men - Nikola Tesla - to whom owe so much! He was born in Smiljan village near the city of Gospić in Croatia. Later on in his life he lived and worked in USA with Tomas Edison. There are still lots of controversies considering all their inventions and the truth who exactly invented what. As today is Saint Nicholas Day I wish Nikola Tesla a happy Name Day!

So here it is...

2010-12-05T23:29:00.000+01:00

Dear readers, I have showed you yesterday a part of the city Christmas decoration and I couldn't resist not showing you at least one more photo. So here it is, one of the many Christmas trees that are decorated all across the town. This one is placed on the Zagreb main square. As you may remember from one of the recent posts, it is the one been decorated last Sunday.

I hope you had a nice weekend and are prepared for a new working weak!

The red bridge

2010-12-04T23:26:00.000+01:00

After yesterday when I had a bit of a sharp post about the sufficiency of Zagreb public transport, I'll do a completely opposite thing today. I must say that Zagreb looks really beautiful in time of Christmas because it is always decorated in beautiful lights and decoration. Here you can see a part of it, which I took at the Krvavi most (i.e. Bloody bridge). Krvavi most is the name of this very short street in the city center that binds the Radićeva and Tkalčićeva street. Here used to pass the Medvešćak brook and at this exact place there used to be a wooden bridge. This brook was a border between two towns - Kaptol and Gradec - that used to have many fights at that spot. Because of these conflicts it got the name Bloody bridge. I find it all quite ironic with these red lights set here!

Waiting for the tram!

2010-12-03T00:03:00.003+01:00

Waiting for the tram is a pretty usual thing in Zagreb - and I mean REALLY waiting! - for long! I must say that we don't have too good public transport service, although I suppose it could be much worse. Another thing in question here is the price of a ticket - it is one of the highest in Europe, especially considering our standard of living. And the cost of living in Zagreb is also very high - we had a more expensive square meter (in real estates) than it was in the center of Vienna. But this economic crises changed that - thank God! So, the city government instead of improving and stimulating the use of public transport, goes another step back by announcing new rising of ticket prices and cutting down the number of trams and buses in everyday traffic.

Marching king Tomislav

2010-12-02T15:25:00.002+01:00

Ok, I admit it, this photo has nothing to do with the current weather in Zagreb. It's been rain-snow-sun all the time for few days now. Still I wanted to show you this photo that I took recently because it is a sort of an antipode of one of my first photos I made for this blog. It is the King and the magnolia tree which I took during warm spring days. This sculpture of King Tomislav (he was the first Croatian king who lived in X. century) was made by a famous Croatian sculptor Robert Frangeš-Mihanović between 1928. and 1938. He also made a beautiful carving of Holy Trinity at the entrance to the Zagreb Cathedral.

December Theme Day - Time

2010-12-01T03:37:00.002+01:00

I fully understand that this is not a particularly nice photo but I strongly wished to show you one clock that probably not even Zagrepčani (i.e. people of Zagreb) are aware of - it is this clock at the top of the building that's on the corner of Ilica and Gundulićeva street. The clock is quite highly placed and rarely used by the passers by, but is very visible from the Gradec and under the Tower Lotrščak where the favorite view of the Zagreb is placed. As the today's theme is ''Time'' I immediately remembered this photo that I took some time ago. Although, I am not happy for making this partly a Heineken advertisement, I still must say that behind this advert, that stands here for many years now, lies a sad story of a popular Zagreb tavern called Corso. But I'll leave that story for some other time.

Click here to view thumbnails of all the participants in this theme day!

The Winter sun

2010-11-30T14:47:00.001+01:00

Few days ago when we had a bit of sun here I took this photo by the Zagreb main train station (which you can see in the back). I really love this part of town with the beautiful parks and the promenade that's part of the so called Zagreb green horseshoe (I mentioned it some time ago). It is nice to enjoy the winter sunny days in Zagreb!

Tell me dear readers, how do the winter days look like in your hometown?

The Father of the Country

2010-11-29T07:00:00.005+01:00

This is the monument of Ante Starčević placed near the Zagreb main train station next to the King Tomislav square and Hotel Esplanade. Actually it is placed by the City Library building on a square that carries his name. Ante Starčević is a very important person in Croatian history - he was a very famous Croatian politician and writer who lived through the 19. century and was always fighting for the Croatian people and their rights! He is also considered to be the Father of the Country.

Decorating the Christmas tree!

2010-11-28T23:43:00.000+01:00

This past few days were really very cold! True winter temperatures and weather. Still, we had a chance to enjoy sun yesterday so I took a walk down the Zagreb center and saw this interesting moment - decorating the Christmas tree! Every year on Christmas a very tall Christmas tree is brought to Zagreb main square and decorated with the lights and other stuff. And it always looks so amazing! It was fun watching these guys doing the decoration.

Visiting the Tošo Dabac Archive

2010-11-27T00:05:00.004+01:00

Ooh... how I love finding this kind of details in Zagreb! The key is always going to new places and discovering new things. This time I got a chance to visit the Tošo Dabac Archive in Ilica street not far away from Zagreb main square. Tošo Dabac is one of the most important Croatian photographers ever! He lived through the 20. century and made a huge impact on Croatian art scene. This Archive in Ilica used to be his atelier, and after his death the apartment/atelier and may of his photos and 200 thousand negatives were donated to the Museum of contemporary art in Zagreb. This photo I took while going to the Archive where I noticed for the first time this really cool doors!

First snow!

2010-11-26T22:31:00.000+01:00

I took this photo today on my way home. It was snowing whole day and it was quite cold. It is this winter's first Zagreb snow! And it really was expected because we have an old saying here - ''Sveta Kata snijeg na vrata!'' that roughly can be translated as ''Saint Kate (Catharine) brings snow to the doorsteps!''. An really it was Saint Catherine's day yesterday! So, I must say that our ancestors really knew what they were saying!

I wish you all a nice weekend! Take care!

Beautiful entrance

2010-11-25T10:54:00.000+01:00

This is a beautiful entrance to the Zagreb Cathedral which was designed in 1902. The main motive in the centre is Holy Trinity carved by the Croatian sculptor Robert Frangeš Mihanović in Secession style. It is specially nice in the evening when the lights are up and the decoration really stands out!

Count from the back!

2010-11-24T17:22:00.000+01:00

I told you some details about ban Josip Jelačić some time ago. This sculpture is placed on the Zagreb main square that carries his name. It was made by famous sculptor Dominik Fernkorn and was placed at this square in 1866. but at that time it was facing the north towards Hungary and today it is turned to look at the south. In 1947. the sculpture was removed because it was not appropriate according the Yugoslavian regime because it glorified Croatian history. During the Croatian separation from Yugoslavia in 1990. the sculpture was returned to the square. I took this shot while passing through the Harmica passage.

Museum of Broken Relationships

2010-11-23T00:40:00.000+01:00

There is one thing you can find in Zagreb that you probably can't find anywhere else in the world - it is the Museum of Broken Relationships. Well actually, it is not a real museum but an art project lead by two Croatians, art manager Olinka Vištica and artist Dražen Grubišić, who came to an idea of making a collection of the donations of object that represent different love stories and other emotional relationships that ended broken. There were many different reasons why people decided to give something away for this collection that become a big success and has traveled the world. More about it you can read on their website!

Zagreb Taxi

2010-11-22T00:07:00.002+01:00

I suppose that every bigger city in the world has it's Taxi service, or at least some kind of it. As you can see Zagreb has it's Taxi service also, but the prices are almost ridiculously high! The reason is that only one provider has a legal right to Taxi service (to be more precise, it is a certain association of Taxi drivers) and they have a monopoly of some sort for this service. But recently there has been lots of debates on this subject in Zagreb because city assembly has decided to cancel this monopoly by letting other companies having also Taxi service in the city. Lots of citizens were very pleased for this decision because it mainly means that we will have much cheaper Taxi service in the future!

The Stairway of Kalasancij Schlosser

2010-11-21T13:22:00.003+01:00

There are some things, little things about Zagreb I really love! One of them are city stairways all across the city center. As you could have already read on this blog, I told you how the city Zagreb was originally settled underneath the mountain Medvednica and on the two hills - Kaptol and Gradec. Because of the specific terrain it was important to construct along with the streets many stairways that helped people reach some higher places in the city. Here you can see one of those stairways called The Stairway of Kalasancij Schlosser - doctor Josip Kalasancij Schlosser-Klekovski was a well known doctor, botanist and mountaineer. So it is no wonder this particular stairway that leads to the one very important hospital on the quarter Šalata is named by doctor Schlosser.

Breakfast in the morning

2010-11-20T00:05:00.002+01:00

Food on my blog - finally! I must say that there is nothing better then fresh tasteful bread or pastry on the table for breakfast in the morning. However, just till recently it was really hard to find a good bakery shop in the city center - and it was really hard to believe! But now I can name a few good bakery's - Mlinar, Klara, Pan-Pek and Dubravica. I myself prefer the first two mentioned here because they have the best croissants. But it would be unfair not to mention a perfect Polish bread from Pan-Pek.

Have a nice weekend everybody!

The Green House

2010-11-19T12:00:00.002+01:00

I just had to take this photo and show it to you! It is a house on King Tomislav Square, part of so called Zagreb Green Horseshoe - that is the name of an urban part of Zagreb (Lower town) that was specially designed in 19. century. I love the design and the colour of this house! It is really special and stands out!

In memory of Vukovar

2010-11-18T20:44:00.000+01:00

You've been waiting for this post a bit longer because I was waiting for the night to take this photo.

Today's date is a very important date for all the Croats - we remember the day that the Battle of Vukovar was lost during the Croatian War of Independence in 1991. Vukovar is a town on the eastern border of Croatia which was completely destroyed and where many people died. And it become a Croatian symbol for all the suffering and lost lives during the Croatian War of Independence. So, every year on this date people all across the country organize some kind of manifest to commemorate this sad event. This photo I took on the street that carries the name of Vukovar where people lighted hundreds of candles all along the sides.

The Hotel Esplanade

2010-11-17T16:00:00.003+01:00

I took this photo yesterday afternoon while it was still nice weather. As you can see, people tried to catch few sun rays and enjoy warm weather. Sadly, today turned out to be rainy, cold and gray - but than again, we are in November already, no!?

This building that you can partly see at the back is the historical Hotel Esplanade also know as The Regent Esplanade and it was and still is one of the most luxurious hotels in Zagreb. It was built in 1925. to provide accommodation for passengers of the famous Orient Express train that traveled between Paris and Istanbul. More photos and stories about it I will give you soon - but till then you can see a nice photo on Wiki.

Zagrepčanka

2010-11-16T00:05:00.001+01:00

This building is one of the first sky scrapers in Zagreb. It was built in 1976. and was the tallest building in Zagreb at that time. For that reason the people of Zagreb started calling it Zagrepčanka (it is the name for Zagreb women) and it is still dear to many people today and it remained one of the symbols of Zagreb. This city doesn't have many tall buildings all in all, but I personally prefer it that way.

Gothic portal

2010-11-15T11:26:00.000+01:00

This exquisite church portal is part of St. Marc church on Upper town. It was made around year 1400. in Gothic style by the famous Prague carver and sculptor family Parler that was living and working in Zagreb at that time. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic sacral sculpture in Northern Croatia and definitely one of the best preserved. Here you can see Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, St. Marc with lion and twelve apostles.

Wish you all a nice start of a working week!

Don't know what to say!

2010-11-14T20:14:00.000+01:00

Who thinks that making a hole in a 19. century building is a good idea?

Medieval vs. Neoclassical

2010-11-13T21:34:00.000+01:00

We've had several sunny and quite warm days. It seems like it is spring already! That was perfect opportunity to spend a nice day outside on a warm sun walking around and having coffee. This photo I took very close to the Stone gates and St. George statue at the entrance to the Upper town. I like the contrast of the facades - medieval walls vs. Neoclassical decoration!

I wish you all a nice weekend!

Crazy about books?!

2010-11-12T22:32:00.000+01:00

One of the most interesting fairs in Zagreb (at least to me!) is the Interliber - the International Book and Teaching Appliances Fair. It is held every year in November and on a so-called Zagreb Fair which is a name that considers the company that organizes several large fairs in Zagreb and also the complex of buildings and pavilions which are used for that purpose. This year the Interliber will last till next Sunday and I strongly recommend it. It is a perfect opportunity to buy great books by reduced prices!

Zagreb main train station

2010-11-11T23:10:00.000+01:00

I've been posting more and more night scenes and photos of Zagreb recently and the reason is that I'm working all day and when I got a chance to take a walk at the end of a day it is already night.

Never the less, I'm bringing you this special photo of Zagreb main train station. Interesting is that this building was built in 1892. according to the project of a Hungarian architect Ferenc Pfaff and was designed in neo-classical style. It is placed on a King Tomislav square facing the sculpture of a king Tomislav and The Art Pavilion in the background.

French Kiss Tour #2

2010-11-10T22:55:00.000+01:00

I've had a chance to see a wonderful concert yesterday evening. They were three very nice girls from France on so called French Kiss Tour #2. The music was really good and I had a great time! Here you can partly see the promo material with a pictures of these ladies. And a good wine also - that was a must! The concert was held at Shamballa - a night club in the Cibona complex. In my opinion it wasn't the best place for this kind of concert but a good music saved the day.

House facade decoration

2010-11-09T15:56:00.000+01:00

Just another nice detail of a Zagreb architecture in a center of a town. Although today's morning started sunny and nice, afternoon is quite dark and rainy. Still it has been a very good November so far - I wish it will continue to be warm and sunny. That's the side of autumn I really like!

Library at night

2010-11-08T23:14:00.000+01:00

First of all, I apologize that you have waited for this post so long. I spent last three days in Italy (more precisely Venice) and had a little time to make a Monday post for you. Cute thing is that my last post connects to my lovely trip this weekend.

But today I have one arty night photo for you. It is the National and University Library - and maybe you remember, I posted few photos of the old University Library that's a Croatian National Archive today some time ago - but this is a ''new'' library building. It was finished in 1995. according to the project of Croatian architects Velimir Neidhardt, Davor Mance, Marijan Hržić and Zvonimir Krznarić. It is the largest and most important library in a whole county. I often used it while I was a student and even now I still use it a lot for work.

Italians in Zagreb

2010-11-07T00:08:00.003+01:00

I saw this wonderful and colourful building few days ago and I had to make a shot. Although, it doesn't do it justice, because it is even more beautiful in reality. As you can probably tell - it is the Italian Embassy. Somehow it's design connects to my idea of an Italian people and country - joyful and colourful!

Upcoming St. Martin's Day

2010-11-06T00:07:00.002+01:00

I really like this one! I took it at the Zagreb main square just the other day. The city government has organized a fair for the upcoming St. Martin's Day (November 11th) and it will be a perfect opportunity to promote Croatian wines. This photo is showing the wine pavilion and it caught my eye immediately. The colours are wonderful!

The Brethren of the Croatian Dragon

2010-11-05T00:05:00.001+01:00

I have one interesting detail for you today. It is a detail of wrought iron door at the Stone gates (Croatian: Kamenita vrata) at the Zagreb Upper town. The sign is indicating that The Brethren of the Croatian Dragon (Croatian: Braća hrvatskoga zmaja) have their premises there. The Brethren of the Croatian Dragon is a Croatian historical and cultural society established in 1905. The worked on promoting Croatian language and culture. They are the ones that organized the project of new square by the Stone gates and they also put up the monument of St. George.

Christmas coming soon...

2010-11-04T01:18:00.000+01:00

Do you know what this means?! It means that Christmas is coming soon! And I have a feeling it's coming every year sooner and sooner! This photo I took at the Trg (Zagreb main square) at cloudy dusk making it so gray and desperate. This Christmas ornaments look even kind of evil. But it is quite nice when it's lighten up on a cold winters night!

Scary mannequin!

2010-11-03T00:35:00.000+01:00

You are probably wondering what this is... Well, obviously it is a shop window with a mannequin. But that's not the strange thing - the strange thing is what's on the mannequin's head! And it looks very scary! I took this photo at the Diesel store not far away from Trg (Zagreb main square) and immediately thought it could make a good ZDP blog photo. Diesel always has such a weird advertisement and brand design - I suppose the goal is to provoke and shock. But, ehm..., I'm a bit tired of all the shock served every day - not shocking any more really!

November Theme Day - Public Transportation

2010-11-02T11:03:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was a theme day and I had to miss it! But I thought to make up for it today. I have a night photo that I took at the Zagreb main square showing (partly) the usual public transport vehicle of Zagreb - tramvaj (tram or tramcar). The Zagreb transport system is operated by ZET (Zagreb Municipal Transit System) and you can currently see on the streets 6 different tram types of which the new ones (seen on the photo) are produced by the ZET itself. All other Theme day photos you will find on this link!