Admirers of fine architecture will delight in the Gothic-Renaissance Dominican monastery and museum. It is as old as the city walls, dating back to 1300, and the exterior makes the building look more like a fortress than a monastery. Inside there is a very elegant cloister, dating from the 15th century and designed by Massa di Bartolomeo. In the east wing is the extensive collection of paintings, with masterpieces by such greats as Nikola Bozidarevic, Mihajlo Hamzic and Dobric Dobricevic.
The Ethnographic Museum in Dubrovnik it contains around 70,000 objects that give us an idea of the ethnographic history of Croatia. Unfortunately only about 2750 of these are shown. These include Pag lace, Slavic scarves with gold embroidery, traditional Croatian clothing, and much, much more. Mirko and Stevo Seljan brought a rich collection of South American, Congolese, Ethiopian, Chinese, Japanese and Australian relics from their explorations which have been added to the exhibits.
The cable car that takes people from Dubrovnik’s city walls to Mount Srd was closed for almost two decades, but now takes passengers on this exciting journey in four minutes. From a height of approximately 1,329 feet, you can see the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, the old town and the island of Lokrum. On a clear day, the Elafiti Islands can be seen just on the edge of the horizon. With the help of telescopes, you can have fun selecting specific objects and people from a great distance. Nearby are a restaurant and a snack bar.
Church of San Ignacio It was inaugurated in 1725 and is dedicated to the founder of the Jesuit society. On the walls are frescoes that tell the story of his life, and the Jesuit College is next door. From Gunduliceva Poljana, walk to the top of a wide staircase to access the College. A vibrant morning market takes place in the square, and it is well worth a visit. In the square stands a statue of Ivan Gundulic, the renowned Dubrovnik poet.
Walk through the Stack door in Dubrovnik in the Stradun district and you will be amazed by the Great Fountain of Onofrio, standing in the Plaza Luza. This fountain, dating back to 1438, is among Dubrovnik’s best-known attractions. When it was built, it marked the end point of one of the first aqueducts in Croatia. This aqueduct was designed by Andriuzzi de Bulbilo and Onofrio dell Cava, and used a fountain almost 12 kilometers away. When it was first opened, the fountain was much more decorated, but the 1667 earthquake left it badly damaged. Unfortunately, the repair work was never carried out and these days the main feature is a huge central dome with 16 carved masks. From the mouths of these masks, jets of water flow into a pool. People can sit and relax on the ledge and steps surrounding the waterhole. Standing on the opposite end of Stradun, near the tower, is the highly ornate Little Fountain of Onofrio, with sculptures of dolphins. Luza square is also where you can admire the bell tower. The Orlando Column is just a short walk away.
Medvednica Natural Park Zagreb has been a haven for walkers, hikers and skiers since 1981. It is particularly crowded during the summer months, when Mount Medvednica, in which the Nature Park is located, blooms with a wide variety of flowers and the trees come to life in all kinds of glorious colors. It is also during this time that the weather is particularly pleasant. During the winter months, the Natural Park offers ski equipment on loan and accommodation for skiers. You can also use the cable car to access the 1032-meter summit of Sljeme. This area is also a mecca for walkers. It is also on this mountain where the Veternica Cave is located, where bats perch and archaeological discoveries from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods were found. The Medvednica Nature Park is easily accessible from Zagreb by car or public transport.
Jarun Lake It is a favorite recreational place for the inhabitants of Zagreb, as it is located not far to the southwest of the city. It’s easy to get here by public transport, just take a tram to the Jarun district. The Sava River flows into this lake, which is particularly popular with rowers, surfers, runners, skaters, boaters, sailors, swimmers, and skaters. Surrounding it are a variety of restaurants and clubs, which means that this area is abuzz with activity throughout the day and night.
Mishamir ParkDating from the late 1700s, it is the largest park in Zagreb. It is also where the Zagreb City Zoo is located, making it one of the most popular places in the city for those with children. This is a very relaxed place, where parents can relax by one of the five lakes and enjoy the outdoors while the children play or watch the animals. To cool off after spending a few hours outdoors, there is a cafeteria available. There is no charge to enter the park, but one has to buy a ticket to the Zagreb city zoo.
Andautonia Park It is an active archaeological site not far from Zagreb. Here, people can walk the roads, columns, and public baths unearthed from the ancient city of Andautonia. The Romans settled in this area (covering just under 27,000 square feet), near the town of Scitarjevo, around the 1st century AD This quickly became an important administrative and cultural center. The archaeologist began studying this area in the 1700s and is still making new discoveries today. In the village of Scitarjevo itself, you can also admire the old Croatian houses built with traditional wood.
The Lotrscak Tower (known as Kula Lotrscak in Croatian) dates from the year 1200 and is protected against attackers on the southern wall of Gradec (now known as the old town area of Zagreb). Originally, it featured a bell, which rang when the gates of the city walls were closed. If you were unable to enter the protected area before they closed, you would have to stay outside until dawn. In the 19th century, a fourth story was built on top of the tower, as well as a cannon, which to this day is fired every noon. It is worth climbing the tower, since from the top you can admire all the beauty of Zagreb. You will also find a souvenir shop and gallery here.