The medieval fortress of Medvedgrad, just above the city on the southern side of Mt Medvednica, is Zagreb’s most important medieval monument. Built from 1249 to 1254, it was erected to protect the city from Tartar invasions. Today you can see the rebuilt thick walls and towers, a small chapel with frescoes and the Shrine of the Homeland , which pays homage to those who died for a free Croatia. On a clear day, it offers beautiful views of Zagreb and surrounds. To get there, take bus 102 from Britanski Trg and get off at the church in Šestine; continue on foot following hiking trail #12 (from Lagvi? to Medvedgrad).
This 13th-century church is one of Zagreb’s most emblematic buildings. Its colourful tiled roof, constructed in 1880, has the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia on the left side, and the emblem of Zagreb on the right. The Gothic portal, composed of 15 figures in shallow niches, was sculpted in the 14th century. The interior contains sculptures by Ivan Meštrovi?. You can enter the anteroom only during opening hours; the church itself is open only at Mass times. From late April to October there's a guard-changing ceremony outside the church every Saturday and Sunday at noon.
The park, a peaceful wooded enclave covering 18 hectares, is easily accessible by trams 11 and 12 from Jela?i? square. Opened to the public in 1794, it was the first public promenade in southeastern Europe. It's landscaped like an English garden, with alleys, lawns and artificial lakes. The most photographed structure in the park is the exquisite Bellevue Pavilion, constructed in 1843. There is also the Echo Pavilion, as well as a house built to resemble a rustic Swiss cottage. The zoo has a modest collection of the world’s fauna and daily feeding times for seals, sea lions, otters and piranhas.
