Archive for the 'Croatia' Category

Exploring Osijek’s Historic Fortification

A couple of months ago I visited Osijek, Croatia’s fourth largest city, to attend a silent film festival. The film screenings were taking place in the heart of the town’s ancient fortress, Tvrđa.
Tvrđa (pronounced Tvar-ja) forms the town’s historic core. It is an ancient defence complex that was built by the Habsburgs after they drove [...]

Day Trips from Zagreb

If you are visiting Zagreb and have a day or two to spare, take the opportunity to explore some of the stops beyond the city limits.
Samobor
Samobor is the perfect escape for those who want to get away from the hustle of Zagreb. A thirty minute drive from the city, Samobor is a 13th century town [...]

Strossmayer Promenade, Zagreb

Zagreb allows for a number of escape routes within the city limits. One such example is the Strossmayer Promenade. A green terraced walkway that connects Zagreb’s upper town with the city centre. It runs along the edge of the old town, lined with towering chestnut trees and dotted with benches. Furthermore, at regular intervals you’ll [...]

Zagreb’s Stone Gate

Last week I wrote about the Lotrščak Tower in Zagreb. Today, I’m writing about another local landmark situated just a few paces from the tower, the Stone Gate.
Locally known as Kamenita Vrata, this is the only surviving medieval town gate in Zagreb. It was once part of the old city walls, connecting the Upper and [...]

Zagreb’s Lotrščak Tower

While I’ve mentioned the Lotrščak Tower in passing before, I’m going to share a little more about one of my favourite landmarks in Zagreb today.
The 13th century Lotrščak Tower is a resident of Zagreb’s Upper Town. Back then it was meant to stand guard at the town gate against bandits and impending attacks. [...]

Lenuci’s Horseshoe – Zagreb’s Parks

The summer is coming to a fast and windy end in Zagreb. The leaves are turning yellow and dropping off for the season. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy a calming minute at one of the many parks in the city.
Zagreb is a green city. Town planners had the foresight to plant enough green spaces [...]

A visit to the coastal town of Poreč, in Istria, Croatia

If you’re staying in Istria, the northern-most province of Croatia, then make sure you stop in at the coastal town of Poreč. This part of Croatia is very close to the Italian border and you can really feel the influence in the look of the town and the relaxed lifestyle. The flat buildings fronting the [...]

Fish Paprikash – Sampling a Croatian Delicacy

I was on my way to Osijek, the largest city in eastern Croatia.  I was invited by a friend to attend a silent film festival. Since I’d never visited the region before, I took the opportunity and caught an early morning train from Zagreb’s main station. As the train pulled away and across the flat [...]

The Island of Vis, Croatia

Vis is the outermost island on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. For years the island served as an army base for the Yugoslav army, off limits to the general public, especially foreigners. It wasn’t till Croatia gained independence in 1990 that Vis opened her doors to the world.
Vis is approachable only by sea. Ferries ply regularly from [...]

A look at Zagreb’s Main Cathedral

Zagreb’s main cathedral, The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, is one of the city’s most impressive architectural and cultural landmarks.
This neo-gothic structure rises high above the city. During my first few weeks in the city I used the spires as a route marker. After a day of exploring, it was the church [...]

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