Things to Do in Croatia

It might seem surprising that a cemetery features on Zagreb’s list of top tourist attractions, but the exquisite Mirogoj Cemetery is no ordinary graveyard. Laid out in 1876 by acclaimed German architect Hermann Bollé, the 7-acre plot is renowned as one of Europe’s most beautiful cemeteries, fronted by a grand 500-meter long neo-Renaissance arcade and set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Medvednica.

Strolling the tree-lined walkways through Mirogoj Cemetery unveils an elaborate series of mausoleums and chapels, landscaped gardens and monumental statues, most notably the Bollé-designed Chapel of Christ the King; the modern Crematorium and Urn Grove; and sculptures by Ivan Mestrovic and Mihanovic. Read the inscriptions on the ornate tombstones and you’ll recognize the names of many of Croatia’s most prominent artists, politicians and soldiers, including playwright Miroslav Krleza, American NBA basketball player Drazen Petrovic, poet Petar Preradovic, Croatia’s first president, Franjo Tudman and, fittingly, Hermann Bollé himself.

With its grand neo-Renaissance façade presiding over Roosevelt Square in Zagreb’s Donji Grad (Lower Town), the Mimara Museum (Muzej Mimara) is impossible to miss, but the dramatic building is more than just a pretty face. This is the city’s biggest and most important art history museum, housing over 3,750 works, including paintings, sculptures and crafts, spanning over three millennia. The permanent exhibition is made up of the personal collections of Wiltrud and Ante Topić Mimara, an extraordinary assemblage of artifacts bequeathed to the city in 1987.

Elements of the collection come from all around the world, including Persian carpets, ancient Egyptian glassware, elaborate Renaissance altarpieces and archaeological finds from Greece, Rome and early-medieval Europe. Highlights include an enameled 13th-century crucifix, a series of ancient Far Eastern artworks and paintings by Dutch artists Rembrandt and Ruisdael, Spanish painters Velāzquez and Goya, and other famous names like Rubens, Van Dyck, Manet and Caravaggio.

Rising to heights of over 1,000 meters and surrounded by forested foothills, Mount Medvednica (‘Bear Mountain’), looms over the city of Zagreb and makes an easy escape from the capital. Sljeme is the highest point at 1,033 meters and while hiking the scenic route to the summit is a popular choice, the peak is also reachable by road and cable car, making it the focal point for most day-trippers. The wooded slopes around the summit make up the protected area of Medvednica Nature Park, crisscrossed with hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as restaurants, traditional mountain lodges and a winter ski area.

Another key attraction of Medvednica is the medieval fortress of Medvedgrad, originally built in 1242 and now home to the Altar of the Homeland memorial, a poignant dedication to the local soldiers who fought and died in the Croatian war of independence. Alternatively, pay a visit to the Veternica Cave, one of the largest in Croatia, or tour the historic silver mining area of Zrinski Mine.

Mount Medvednica also serves as the backdrop for a number of annual events, including medieval reenactments and knights’ tournaments held in the grounds of the historic castle and the winter Snow Queen festival, held in honor of legendary Croatian skier Janica Kostelic, who first learned to ski on the slopes.