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Zagreb, Croatia |
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Zagreb surprised me. You'd think that years of Communism and war would have taken their toll, but it turns out that Zagreb is an absolutely lovely city. In Zagreb, you find beautiful architecture, friendly people, many of whom speak English, great restaurants, clean streets, and very little homelessness (much less than in a typical American city). The downtown area is especially pleasant to walk around because cars are not allowed on many of the central streets.
From what I've heard, I have not even begun to experience the splendors of Croatia. The 5,790 km coast of the country -- the "most indented" coast in the Mediterranean -- is graced by over 1000(!) islands, 66 of which are inhabited. I've seen pictures of Croatia's coastal towns, and they are breathtaking. Dubrovnik, a beautifully preserved, walled, medieval town at the southern tip of Croatia, is particularly interesting. Now a part of Croatia, it was formerly an independent city-state, spared from Napolean's conquests because of its residents' diplomacy. |
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Napoleon did konquer Dubrovnik!
Dubrovnik actually surrendered to French forces in 1806 and was thus spared of a much worse fate (occupation by Russian-Montenegrin fleets).
-- Branimir Dolicki
I was there in 2002
Late 20002: My wife said "Be careful, it's a war zone", but the war with Serbia had ended a few years before. I was warned not to wander in remote fields (mines). When the plane was landing I saw tanks lining the perimiter of the airport. Entering Zagreb I noticed buildings that looked like "the projects" over here. I believe that is Soviet era construction. Downtown Zagreb is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. The people were incredibly nice, and incredibly beautiful (good genes all around). I only learned a few words of the language. Ciao (goodbye, based on Italy, just across the water) and da (yes: Russia is next door as well). The most important word: Pivo. BEER. I love Eastern Europe because it is relatively unspoiled by McD's, etc. For a little while longer.
-- Anot Flije
Glad
I'm so glad to read that it's still as beautiful as I remembered it. I was born in zagreb but never really lived there. I was there before the war broke loose when inflation had just begun. I had to leave quickly before they closed down the airport. I'd stayed there for 2 years and remembered it to be one of the best times I had. My grandmother & grandfather lived there along with my other relatives. I've never been back since, so yes I'm glad to read that it's still as beautiful in zagreb as I remembered.
-- Danijela Suvandee
Zagreb
My husband worked in Zagreb for 9 months in 2000. My son's and I went over to visit for the summer. He had a very nice apartment. We used to enjoy the Cannon resaturant where the waiter called my yak-o-matic son "leetle meester". We did a lot of traveling while there but thoroughly enjoyed Zagreb and it's wonderful people. We would love to go back sometime soon. And we used to love going to the squares in the evening where all the people would gather... and the "pivo"! Ojusco... that's not the correct spelling but it was so cold, light and refreshing. I long for another one!
-- Beverly Weber
Missing Zagreb
I am an American married to a native of Zagreb. My wife and our children immigrated to the United States in August, 2006. I have made numerous trips to Croatia and Zagreb before they left, I am in love with this beautiful land, I'm hoping i can convince my wife someday to return there after I finish working in Iraq. Croatians, be proud of your land, I am.
-- Timothy Jenkins
Memories
I'm Danijela's brother, we use to live there for quite a while. In my memories, Zagreb was the peaceful and wonderful place I'd ever stayed. Although before the war broke loose and inflation, civilians there were friendly and did not care or panic about much of the situation. My thought was that most of the population there were good people, they hope mostly for the situation to unravel by that time. The best place and time was the Square of Zagreb around 21st till 25th December where there was lots of decoration through all the streets. It was lovely...
-- Mr.Montien Suvandee