In Zagreb, Croatia, in the historic district known as Gradec or Gornji grad, there is a defensive tower known as the Lotrak Tower. The tower was constructed in the thirteenth century to watch over the southern gate of the Gradec town wall. The name comes from the Latin campana latrunculorum, which translates as "thieves' bell" and alludes to a bell that was hung in the tower in 1646 to announce the closing of the town gates.

According to legend, this substantial square Romanesque tower once housed a bell that rang out each evening before the gates closed to signal people living outside the walls to come inside (anyone left outside would have to remain there for the night). The tower received a fourth story, windows, and a cannon in the 19th century. Since the cannon on the tower's roof has been fired daily at noon. The tower's art gallery and souvenir shops are open to visitors, who can also climb it for breathtaking city views.

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Address: Tomićeva ul. 9, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4851 768
Official site: N/A

The renowned Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata), the final of the five ancient city gates and likewise located in Upper Town, is another significant medieval building. One of the gates enclosing Zagreb's ancient Gradec neighborhood was the Stone Gate, which is now among the city's best-preserved landmarks. The building, which was constructed in the 13th century, and its iconic painting of Mary and Jesus both survived a fire in 1731. A chapel was constructed to hold the picture in honor of the significant relic, and it is still visible behind a metal grille today. The painting has long been the focus of pilgrimages.

One of the most renowned Croatian authors, August Shenoa, erected a sculpture of a well-known fictitious figure from a well-known historical novel in front of the Gate. They chose to place the sculpture on Kamenita Street because Dora and her father resided there in the book; this is the street where Stone Gate is. The Stone Gate has been preserved as a part of Croatian tradition for many years.

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Address: Strossmayerovo setaliste 9, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4851 611
Official site: https://www.absolute-croatia.com/zagreb/sacred-sites/stone-gate

The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, or HNK Zagreb as it is more often known, is a theater, opera, and ballet venue. The Croatian National Theatre (Hrvatsko Narodno Kazaliste) is situated in Donji Grad, at the northwest corner of Zagreb's "Green Horseshoe," and was designed by Austrian architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner. Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary officially declared this majestic yellow building on Trg Marsala open in 1894, and it has since become a recognizable landmark in the Lower Town.

The Neo-Baroque and Rococo-styled edifice, which has two smaller domes up front and a huge dome at the back, also has a beautiful interior with works by Vlaho Bukovac and Ivan Mestrovic's The Well of Life. Leading artists from Croatia have frequently worked in theaters. The Greek-Croatian poet Dimitrija Demeter, a prominent member of the Croatian national revival movement, served as its first manager and dramatist, and Ivan Zajc served as its first conductor. Attend a regular opera, ballet, or theater performance if at all possible.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: Trg marsala Tita 15, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4888 488
Official site: https://www.hnk.hr/en/

The Roman Catholic cathedral church known as Zagreb Cathedral is located on the Kaptol. It is the most significant sacral building in the Gothic style southeast of the Alps and the second-highest building in Croatia. The sacristy, which has substantial architectural importance, and the cathedral are both classic Gothic structures. Given that they can be seen from nearly every location in the city, their distinctive spires are regarded as landmarks.

The Zagreb Cathedral was built where a prior structure had been destroyed by Tartars in the early 1200s. The current cathedral, known for its two elaborately ornamented spires, was constructed in the latter part of the 13th century. However, numerous additions and modifications have been performed since then that have significantly altered the building. Most recently, a substantial portion of the dome and bell tower were destroyed by an earthquake in 1880, although they were rebuilt using the original medieval architecture. Don't forget to check out the cathedral treasure, which has a variety of exquisite religious artwork, apparel, and holy items.

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Address: Kaptol 31, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +3851-4814727
Official site: N/A

In 1972, a private collector named Ante Topic Mimara donated his collection, which was later housed in the Museum of Mimara (Muzej Mimara). This comprehensive collection includes a wide range of things from various locations and time periods and is housed in a Neo-Renaissance structure constructed particularly for it in 1895. A superb archaeological collection is also present, with artifacts from Mesopotamia, Persia, the Middle East, India, the Far East, and South America's Inca and Pre-Inca civilizations among others.

A sizable collection of glass from Europe and other Mediterranean nations, as well as furniture from the Middle Ages and sculptures from ancient Greece, are also noteworthy. Rembrandt and Ruisdael of the Netherlands, Raphael and Veronese of Italy, Rubens and Van Dyck of Flanders, and Velázquez and Goya of Spain are among the painters represented in the paintings. Renoir, Degas, Boucher, and Delacroix's paintings and sculptures, as well as those by Auguste Rodin and Jean-Antoine Houdon, are significant examples of works by French and English painters.

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Address: Rooseveltov trg 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4828 100
Official site: http://www.mimara.hr/

In the heart of Zagreb, Croatia, there is a botanical garden called the Zagreb Botanical Garden. It is a component of the Faculty of Science and was established in 1889 by Antun Heinz, a professor at the University of Zagreb, and opened to the public in 1891. The Faculty of Botany at Zagreb University originally constructed the Botanical Garden (Botanicki Vrt) as a research facility. It is a member of a group of parks that make up the "Green Horseshoe" of the city of Donji Grad, covering an area of around 50,000 square meters.

A peaceful retreat from the city and a perfect spot to unwind or go for a walk are provided by the arboretum. There are two ponds with a variety of aquatic plants, an elegant bridge, and roughly 10,000 different plant species that are present on the grounds. If you still have the energy afterward to see another museum, visit the neighboring Natural History Museum (Hrvatski Prirodoslovni Muzej). The museum, which is housed in the Amadeo Palace since the early 1700s, has about 2.5 million items in its collection. These include minerals from all over the world, a sizable zoological collection showcasing a wide range of Croatian plants and animals, and artifacts uncovered during local archaeological digs.

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Address: Trg Marka Marulića 9A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4898 066
Official site: https://botanickivrt.biol.pmf.hr/

The Umjetnicki Paviljon, a pavilion for art in Zagreb, was constructed in 1896 for the world exhibition in Budapest. The original iron framework was moved and rebuilt in this location, where it now has a permanent home. The Art Pavilion, known for its eye-catching yellow Art Nouveau facade, is now used for varying contemporary art exhibitions and houses significant works by renowned Croatian artist Ivan Mestrovic. This majestic building, which front Trg Kralja Tomislava, a sizable public square known for its statue honoring the first King of Croatia, is the oldest exhibition hall of its kind in Croatia.

The gallery's total display space is 600 m2, but it doesn't have a permanent exhibit because it focuses on one-off solo and group exhibitions that highlight major oeuvres and art movements from various eras and styles, featuring pieces by both Croatian and foreign artists. The gallery has hosted almost 700 shows over the course of its existence, with artists like the Earth Group collective, George Grosz, Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and many others. At a time when Zagreb had a population of 60,000, the show was exceedingly well-liked and drew about 10,000 people.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: Trg kralja Tomislava 22, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4841 070
Official site: https://www.umjetnicki-paviljon.hr/en/home/

Gornji Grad, Zagreb's Upper Town, which has gorgeous cobblestone lanes and houses with red-tiled roofs, is a lovely site to start a sightseeing tour of the Croatian city. Many of the city's most popular tourist sites are located in Gornji Grad, which was once two different cities called Kaptol and Gradec. The cathedral, the legislature building, as well as a number of churches and museums, are all located here.

Make sure to wander down Tkalciceva Thoroughfare, the city's most well-known street, which is dotted with sidewalk cafes, eateries, and shops. Kaptol Square, known for its numerous structures from the early 17th century, and the Dolac fruit and vegetable market are other attractions. However, St. Mark's Church, which is instantly recognized by its vividly colored tile roof bearing the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Zagreb City, may be the most outstanding feature. Don't forget to visit the interior as well for a look at the magnificent statues by renowned Croatian artist Ivan Mestrovic and the frescoes painted by Jozo Kljakovic.

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Address: Trg Sv Marka 5, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: N/A
Official site: N/A

The Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzej suvremene umjetnosti), one of Zagreb's newest museums and the biggest and most contemporary in Croatia, is a must-visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in art. Museum of Contemporary Art ranks 6th in the list of best places to visit in Zagreb. It is frequently referred to as MSU and was opened in 2009 as a result of its collections outgrowing its initial galleries, which were built in the 1950s.

Today, an extraordinary collection of more than 12,000 works of art, including about 600 on permanent display, is housed in this wonderfully constructed edifice. Even though Croatian art is the main focus, visitors who are interested in the work of other artists won't be let down because there are sculptures and paintings from all over the world on display. Groups of four or more tourists can take advantage of English-language guided excursions. On-site amenities include a store, and a theater, and the museum also provides a varied schedule of talks and workshops.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: Avenija Dubrovnik 17, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 6052 700
Official site: http://www.msu.hr/stranice/Visitor%20Information/10/en.html

In Zagreb, Croatia, there is a museum called The Museum of Broken Relationships that honors failed romantic partnerships. Its exhibits comprise sentimental items left behind by ex-lovers, each with a brief narrative. The "museum" initially consisted of a mobile exhibition of gifts. Since that time, it has established a permanent home in Zagreb. In 2011, it won the Kenneth Hudson Award for the most inventive museum in Europe.

In addition to the numerous museums dedicated to fine art and history, Zagreb has a number of oddball museums that are well worth seeing, especially this Museum of Broken Relationships. The collections of donated personal items and artifacts from former lovers and companions from throughout the world are fascinating. Each gift is accompanied by information about the broken relationship in issue and presented in all-white rooms. After visiting the museum, there is a shop nearby with some truly one-of-a-kind goods and a café with outdoor seating. You can even go during the summer on Thursday nights to see jazz performances.

Google rating: 4.4/5.0
Address: Sv Cirila i Metoda 3, Gornji grad, Zagreb, Croatia
Phone number: +385 1 4851 021
Official site: https://brokenships.com/