My “window collecting” mission in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, was as hurried as our day and a half there.
Earlier that morning, we had arrived in Croatia via Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. After settling into our apartment, we took to the streets and dodged raindrops as we procured some goodies at a local supermarket.
Our whirlwind exploration of Zagreb took us to a café where we enjoyed latte macchiatos. Then we admired St. Mark’s Church — one of the city’s most well-known landmarks, thanks to its brilliantly colored tiled roof that bears the coat of arms of Zagreb.
Although I’ve visited Zagreb twice, I haven’t given the city the attention it deserves; both times, I was en route to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When Shawn and I do spend extended blocks of time in Croatia, we usually flock to the country’s stunning Dalmatia region. (We find that the winter temperatures along the coast are more alluring than those in Croatia’s continental destinations!)
And so it would be that we had a hasty rendezvous with Zagreb, before hopping on a bus bound for Sarajevo, where we’d commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I , when Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated. I’d also do more “window hunting” in Sarajevo.
Despite our limited time in Zagreb, the winding cobblestone lanes of the Old Town are etched in my memory. So too is Zagreb’s promise of eclectic museums and its varied architecture, much of which harks back to the days when Zagreb was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In this Zagreb window series, I like the blend of diamond-in-the-rough façades. Some buildings have shed their stuccoed exteriors and, in turn, are exposing their brick innards. They contrast dramatically with the pristine lime-green and cranberry-colored examples. I also appreciate how a mother holding an infant deliberately chose to include her little one in my picture, even though she decided to remain anonymous. :)
Where in the World?
Planning Pointers:
- Though Zagreb is deserving of a longer stay, most of my trips there, I have been in transit. One December, Shawn and I stayed at Apartment Lucy City Center Rooms (affiliate link). The apartment was compact, but since it was centrally located and had a pleasant kitchen and bathroom, it offered everything we needed for one night. The Uber ride from Zabreb’s train station to Apartment Lucy was a short one, too. During a summer stay, we spent two nights at the ApartMeant To Be (affiliate link). The host was friendly and helpful, and the apartment was spacious and within walking distance to Jelačić Square and the Dolac Market.
- For more on the city’s sites, see the Croatian National Tourist Board’s website.
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.
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