Diary of a gypsy traveler- first day of summer in Upper Zagreb, Croatia

Good day my steemit family! This picture was taken today at 13:21 PM in Zagreb and it was very sunny, as you can see for yourself! This is a picture taken outside my work place!

I love Zagreb this time of year. First day of summer, the tourists are slowly coming to our city and everything is coming alive.

In a few hours, I will go on my lunch break and I will post pictures of my favourite spots in Upper Zagreb. So if you are planning on visiting Zagreb, you will know where to eat, and what to visit!

So some facts about Zagreb! Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, it is also the largest city with 1,110,000 inhabitants. Also when the Homeland War ended Zagreb became the capital city in on the 25th of June 1991, making Zagreb one of the youngest capital cities in Europe! Zagreb is also known for more museums per square foot than any other city in the world! And that's why it is also called the "city of museums".

Let's begin! Outside my workplace is the famous street food restaurant Mundoaka! It is one of the most visited restaurants in Zagreb. Many tourists prefer Mundoaka because it is highly rated on Tripadvisor. The address is Petrinjska street number two.

Zagreb is connected very well, you can visit the whole center on foot. Petrinjska street is looking at the main street of Zagreb, Ilica street.

Ilica street is 5.66 km long, it is the third longest street in Zagreb.

We Croats are know for having many cafes, restaurants, pubs, cake shops, and bakeries. You will notice it on the photos.

For example, this is a very cute caffe located in Jurisiceva street, k&k caffe!

Walking down Jurisiceva street we are going to the European square. Kurelceva street is popular when it's Christmas time, this spot is one of the most popular for hanging out, eating sausages, and drinking alcohol. Zagreb was voted for the best Christmas Advent city in Europe, two years in a row! I recommend that you visit Zagreb on Christmas. Here is a picture of Kurelceva street during the Advent:

And this was taken earlier today!

So this is the European square, and here is a good burger place called 50 . The owner is from New York, and the people from Zagreb are loving the place. Check it out!

As we pass the European square, we are going to visit Kaptol. Kaptol is situated in the upper town, and today we will visit it.

The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first statue that is set outside the church. On June 18, 1873, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with four angels depicting allegorical figures of Faith, Hope, Innocence and Humility was placed on Kaptol Square.

The most monumental church in Zagreb and the largest one in Croatia is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, featuring 105-metre tall bell towers that have become the symbol of Kaptol and Zagreb.

Now I am taking you to the famous market in the city center called Dolac, currently it is closed , but believe me it get's very crowded. And it is the cheapest market to buy fruit, vegetables, nuts etc.

Dolac is taking us to Skalinska street. It is a small and narrow steet filled with restaurants. There are two Italian resaturants and one is Asian fusion. You will notice that on the streets of Zagreb there are no people, but the restaurants and cafes are full of people.

As we walk down Skalinska, we quickly connect to Tkalciceva street. And this is The Cookie Factory, best ice-cream and brownie dessert you will ever eat! I usually order the cream cheese brownie with a scoop of cocnut flavored ice-cream!

A few facts on Tkalciceva street! This is the most popular street for visting during any time of the day. During day time, you can sit and drink coffee, or tea and read your newspaper or just scroll on your phone or tablet, maybe get a bite somewhere. Also there is a Torture musem near by. I visited it last year, and it was awesome! During night time on a Friday or Saturday this street is filled with people drinking, hanging out and deciding which club to visit.

In this restaurant called Village, you have a Bitcoin ATM! If you ever need it.

Going up, up and away towards the Saint Mark church and Strossmayer Promenade. Here you can find museums and gallery's.

It is my favourite church in Zagreb. The spectrum of colours displayed on the roof beautifully depicts the Croatian, Dalmatian and Slavonian coats-of-arms and also the Zagreb city emblem. Also I want to mention the Stone Gate.

This is really interesting. It is sure that Stone Gate exists since 1266. despite the first mention dates only back to 1492. In 17th and 18th century, Stone Gate was damaged in fires four times: 1645., 1674., 1706. and 1731. The city was mainly made out of wood and fires were a frequent occurrence. During the last fire (in 1731.), Stone Gate was damaged badly but one painting remained intact - the painting of Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. Widow Modlar, the owner of it built a chapel inside of Stone Gate where it still stands (named "The Virgin and Child").

It is a very sacred place. And usually when we go through the Stone Gate we pray or light a candle.

This is the beginning of the Strossmayer Promenade. And believe it or not a little caffe is situated here.

A stroll down Strossmayer Promenade is important, not only for the view and perspective it provides, but also to allow you find out about one of the most important figures in Croatian history. Bishop of Djakovo, Slavonia, political party leader and founder of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Strossmayer had a huge influence on events while Croatia was still a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

We are looking down on Tomiceva street and it will connect us to Ilica again! You can take the stairs down, but I am taking the funicular today!

Fun fact! The funicular in Zagreb operated by ZET, situated in Tomić Street, connects Ilica Street with Strossmayer promenade. It's 66-metre (217 ft) track makes it one of the shortest public-transport funiculars in the world.

The funicular was built in 1890 and has been in operation since April 23, 1893. Initially it had steam engines, which were substituted with electrical engines in 1934.Having in mind that it kept its original shape, constructional and most of the technical properties, it was given legal protection as a monument of culture.

Here we are in Tomiceva street.

Hello Ilica, long time no see!

In Ilica street lies the most famous cake shop, with delicious pastries and ice-cream. It is called Vincek and it was founded in 1977 by the spouses Ankica and Stjepan Vincek. Vincek has become the leading Croatian producer of pastries, cakes, fancy biscuits, chestnut puree, ice cream and other unique delicacies.

Next stop is Cvjetni trg square, it is called Cvjetni (Flower) because of the many flower markets that are situated in the center of the square.

Bogoviceva street is famous because it has a sculpture of the Sun, named The Grounded Sun. Fun fact it is a part of is an ambiental installation in Zagreb, makes up a consistent model of the Solar System. And it is called the Nine Views. There are eight more sculptures of planets situated in Zagreb.

The locations of the planets are as follows:

Mercury - 3 Margaretska Street
Venus - 3 Ban Josip Jelačić Square
Earth - 9 Varšavska Street
Mars - 21 Tkalčićeva Street
Jupiter - 71 Voćarska Street
Saturn - 1 Račićeva Street
Uranus - 9 Siget (not at the residential building but at the garage across the street)
Neptune - Kozari 17

Our last point is the main square Trg Josipa bana Jelacica. It looks like it will rain in a few minutes.

Jelačić Square is the most common meeting place for people in Zagreb. Being a part of the pedestrian zone, it is inaccessible by car, but it is the main hub for trams. ZET tram lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 traverse it by day, and 31, 32 and 34 by night.

First day of summer, with a little storm.

And that's all folks! That sums up my visit of the Upper town of Zagreb. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I hope that this post was helpful for anyone who wants to visit Zagreb.

Peace and Love to all!

Your gypsy girl! XOXO