Zagreb

Zagreb is a very old city that has been Croatia's capital since 1557. Many of the medieval buildings survived and can be visited today. Zagreb has not suffered much from the war in the 1990s, a few rockets hit it, but nothing reminds of that. Nowadays you will find well-dressed people calling on their mobile phones on terraces all over the city. Nothing is cheap in Zagreb and that includes accommodation that is only available in the higher price classes. Most hotels can be found in the area around the train station. Some museums have been closed for a number of years, as the exhibitions were being 'reinterpreted'.

Some of the attractions in Zagreb include the twin neo-Gothic spires of St Stephen's Cathedral were built in 1899 on the site of a medieval cathedral. Some of the foundations from that cathedral can still be seen, including 13th century frescos, Renaissance pews, marble altars and a baroque pulpit. Another good place to visit is the Lotrscak Tower, Northwest of the city center. You can climb the tower for a fantastic view over the capital. Not far from the tower, you will find St Mark's Church. It has a colorful painted-tile roof and inside there is an exposition of sculptures by Ivan Mestrovic. Museums in the same area include the Natural History Museum, the Historical Museum of Croatia and the City Museum. For art shows visit the Muzejski prostor.

In the area known as the Lower Town there are numerous museums and art galleries. Contemporary art exhibitions are held in the exhibition pavilion. If you like paintings, don't miss the Strossmayer Gallery which has an exhibition of paintings from old masters and ancient Croatian inscriptions. For prehistoric and medieval artifacts, Egyptian mummies and Roman sculptures, visit the Archaeological Museum.

In the west of Zagreb there is the Museum Mimara. An art gallery housed in a beautiful building. The private collection includes Spanish, Italian and Dutch paintings, glassware, sculpture and Oriental art.

For something completely different, visit the Mirogoj, in the north of the capital. It is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe in an English-styled landscape.