Zagreb

Zagreb
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A collage of Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.
1st row: Zagreb skyline 2nd row, left: Croatian National Theater, Zagreb
2nd row, right:Hotel Esplanade - Regent
3rd row, left: Spires of Zagreb churches, with Zagreb Cathedral in background 3rd row, middle: St. Mark's Church 3rd row, right: Cibona Tower
4th row: Arena Zagreb

About the City

General Information

Zagreb is the capital, as well as the largest city of Croatia. Lying on the south and south-east slopes of Medvednica Mountain, it’s home to nearly 800,000 people. Today’s Zagreb has medieval roots, but flourished during the 19th and 20th century thanks to its favorable geographic position. It is a rather typical middle European town, often times referred to as a smaller Vienna.

The town center offers visitors an abundance of sights to visit, ranging from historically significant buildings, like churches and museums, to theatres, parks, shops and cafés. The main square in Zagreb is called Trg Bana Jelačića (Count Jelačić Square), and it’s a perfect place to start a tour of the city.

Apart from the old town center, there are relatively new residential areas on both banks of the Sava River. Parts of the city situated south or east of Sava River, further from the center, are referred to as Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb).

History

Tower of Lotrščak (Kula Lotrščak)

Zagreb has rich history, dating back to ancient times. However, majority of today’s city is build around its medieval and 19th century core. Most rapid demographic growth occurred during 1930's, resulting in formation of new districts. Major part of Zagreb is, however, of newer origin, dating back sixty or less years. As a result of such historical shaping, there are few different styles of architecture. You can find mostly 17th to 19th century buildings in the Upper City, neogothic cathedral and neoclassic buildings in the Lower City. Newer parts of the city are built in contemporary modern and socialist style.

There are evidences of antic settlements on the location of today's Zagreb, but those archeological findings are not great in size or importance. The best known roman settlement is Scitarjevo, located in the south-eastern part of Zagreb. Tale of Zagreb history should start in late medieval, in the beginning of 12th century. There were two separate settlements on two hills at the time. Gradec was the western town, populated mainly by traders, craftsmen and common citizens. Its main square was, and still is St. Mark's square with St. Mark's church dominating it. Eastern town was Kaptol, consisting mostly of clergy, and spreading around Cathedral. Between them was a creek called Medvescak. Two settlements often fought between themselves, so one of the bridges over Medvescak creek is, by the legend, called Krvavi Most (Bloody Bridge) which is a tourist attraction today.

In 1242 Tatar invasion came to pass and both villages were attacked. This is particularly important because Croatian and Hungarian King Bela IV presented Gradec a bill called Golden Bule which granted it's becoming of a royal city. The path to Gradec, and later on Zagreb’s progress was laid. City walls with famous Lotrscak Tower were built soon after the Tatar raids. Fortress on southern part of Sljeme, Medvedgrad also dates from 13th century.

St. Mark's Church (Crkva sv. Marka)

In centuries to come there were some important political and geographical limitations to development of the City. First of all, in 15th century Turks invaded lands coming as far as Sisak, which is about 80 kilometers south from Zagreb. Therefore city fortifications were build around Cathedral, and they still stand there. Furthermore, Sava river was self-willed at the time and often flooded. Because of that, it was not until 17th century the Lower City was expanded, with Ban Jelacic Square being build at that time, and after that Zagreb advanced to the east and to the west, rather than to the south. It became capital of Croatia in 1776, succeeding Varazdin.

Kaptol, Gradec, Nova Ves (north from Kaptol) and Vlaska Street (south from Kaptol) were officially united in 1850. Next year, 1851, Zgreb had its first mayor, Janko Kamauf. At the time, city had about 10,000 residents. In years to come Zagreb lived through great demographic boost, having its peak in 1930'; and consequentially architectural achievements were made. Most notable are historical style solution for Lower City called Lenucci's horseshoe with Croatian naional Theatre, Museum for arts and craftsmanship, Art Pavilion and, situated above Lower City, cemetery Mirogoj; and buildings on Burza Square (Trg Hrvatskih Velikana), Croatian home of art by famous Ivan Mestrovic which are made in the beginning of 20th century.

Zagreb continued to grow in recent history, gradually expanding its population from about 250,000 between two world wars to about 700,000 in 1991. New districts were built, mostly residential, and those closer to center flourished. There are some noticeable works of modern architecture like Zagrebcanka (One of first skyscrapers in Zagreb 1976), Eurotower, Cibona Tower, Arena Zagreb and some buildings in Radnicka Street.

Geography

Zagreb is situated between Medvednica Mountain on the north and north-west (commonly called Sljeme for it's highest peak (1033m)) and Pannonian Basin on the east. There is Turopolje region on the south with river Kupa and Vukomericke Gorice hills as the most important locations. River Sava stretches from east to west and splits the city in two parts. It doesn't have any traffic importance, but provides drinking water for Zagreb. There are two major traffic routes through the city, one connecting Central Europe on the north and Adriatic Sea on the south-west and the other going to Eastern Europe to east.

Google map of Zagreb and its districts

City districts are:

Donji Grad, Gornji Grad - Medvescak, Trnje, Maksimir, Pescenica - Zitnjak, Novi Zagreb - istok (east), Novi Zagreb - zapad (west), Tresnjevka - sjever (north), Tresnjevka - jug (south), Crnomerec, Gornja Dubrava, Donja Dubrava, Stenjevec, Podsused - Vrapce, Podsljeme, Sesvete, Brezovica

Located in the center of the town, Donji Grad (Lower City) is smallest district in Zagreb. It is the heart of the city with Ban Jelacic Square, National Theater, Petar Preradovic Square and Home of Arts as the most notable landmarks.

Gornji Grad (Upper City) is the historical nucleus of the capital. Upper City owes its name to its location; it overlooks southern parts of the city from a hill, offering some nice sights from city walls. Today it is popular tourist destination and a headquarters of Croatian government, parliament and president, which are located on St. Mark's Square.

Southern to Donji Grad is Trnje, important district known for many university establishments. On the southern part of the city, there are also Tresnjavka, Novi Zagreb and Brezovica. Southern parts of the city are newer than the ones closer to Medvednica, mainly because of historically unsafe river Sava.

Local Weather

The climate of Zagreb is classified as humid subtropical (Cfa in Köppen climate classification system). Zagreb has four separate seasons. Summers are hot, and winters are cold, without a discernible dry season. The average temperature in winter is 1 °C (34 °F) and the average temperature in summer is 20 °C (68 °F). Particularly, the end of May gets very warm with temperatures rising above 30 °C (86 °F). Snowfall is common in the winter months, from December to March, and rain and fog are common in fall (October to December). Highest recorded temperature ever was 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in July 1950, and lowest was −27.3 °C (−17 °F) in February 1956.

Local Transportation

tram (tramvaj)

Public transportation in the city is organized in two layers: the inner parts of the city are mostly covered by trams and the outer suburbs are linked with buses. The public transportation company, ZET (Zagrebački električni tramvaj, Zagreb Electric Tram), operating trams, all inner bus lines, and the most of the suburban lines, is subsidized by the city council.

Tram service is the basic type of public transport in Zagreb. The city has 256 tram stations. Every day there are 191 lead cars and 62 trailers in traffic. 15 day lines run during the day (4:00 – 23:30) on 148 km long tracks and during night there are 4 night lines (they are less frequent) on 57km long tracks.

The first tram line was opened on September 5, 1891 and trams have been serving as a vital component of Zagreb mass transit ever since. Trams usually travel at speeds of 25–50 km/h (15-31 mph), but slow considerably during rush hour. The network is unique as it operates mostly at the curb.

interactive map of Zagreb that gives you ability to choose specific tram lines to show on the map.

all tram day lines

all tram night lines

funicular (uspinjača)

Bus All city trams as well as buses are operated by ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) , while suburban buses can be operated by some private companies, too.

Taxi They are readily available with the prices somewhat higher than in other cities of the region. You can order taxi 0-24h by calling 970. Taxi service at night from 22-05 h, on Sundays and holidays from 0-24h costs 20% more.

Train As of 1992, the state rail operator HZ (Hrvatske željeznice, Croatian Railways) has been developing a network of suburban trains in metropolitan Zagreb area.

The funicular (uspinjača) in the historic part of the city is a tourist attraction.It is the shortest in the world, connecting the Gornji grad (Upper town) with Ilica St.

Things You Must See

Zagreb has a number of famous museums, here are the ones you shouldn't miss while staying here:

1. MIMARA

• Address: Roosveltov trg 5
• Working hours: Tue-Sat 10.00 - 17. 00; Thu 10.00 - 19.00; Sun 10.00 - 14.00

from 1987, this museum has a world-class collection of art.

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

• Address: Trg N. Zrinskog 19
• Working hours: Tue-Fri 10.00 - 17.00; Thu 10.00 - 20.00; Sat&Sun 10.00 - 13.00

Museum has few permanent collections: Prehistoric and the Egyptian collection, Numismatic collection and selection from Greek, Roman and Mediaeval collections.

3. TECHNICAL MUSEUM

• Address:Savska cesta 18
• Working hours: Tue-Fri 09.00 - 17.00; Sat&Sun 09.00 - 13.00;

Permanent collection shows few departments: Energy transformation, Astronautics with a Planetarium, Fire- Fighting, Geology-Mining-Oil, Essential Agriculture

4. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

• Address:Avenija Dubrovnik 17
• Working hours: Tue-Sun 11.00 -19.00; Thu 11.00 - 22.00

Every first Wed in month: free entrance! Free guidance at 12.00 and 18.00

not finished...

Social Life

Zagreb is an important tourist center, not only in terms of passengers travelling from Western and Central Europe to the Adriatic Sea, but also as a travel destination itself.

The historical part of the city to the north of Ban Jelacic Square is composed of the Gornji Grad and Kaptol, a medieval urban complex of churches, palaces, museums, galleries and government buildings that are popular with tourists on sightseeing tours. The historic district can be reached on foot, starting from Jelacic Square, the center of Zagreb, or by a funicular on nearby Tomiceva Street.

Numerous shops, boutiques, store houses and shopping centers offer a variety of quality clothing. Zagreb's offerings include crystal, china and ceramics, wicker or straw baskets, and top-quality Croatian wines and gastronomic products.

Notable Zagreb souvenirs are the tie or cravat, an accessory named after Croats who wore characteristic scarves around their necks in the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century and the ball-point pen, a tool developed from the inventions by Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, an inventor and a citizen of Zagreb.

Many Zagreb restaurants offer various specialities of national and international cuisine. Domestic products which deserve to be tasted include turkey, duck or goose with mlinci (a kind of pasta), strukli (cottage cheese strudel), sir i vrhnje (cottage cheese with cream), kremsnite (custard slices in flaky pastry), and orehnjaca (traditional walnut roll).

Zagreb at night

Parks & Recreation

Shopping

Accommodation & Boarding

All year round students live in student dorms, in a room they share with a colleague. There is a number of student dorms in Zagreb. During July students mostly reside in student dorms Stjepan Radic and Cvjetno naselje. In other months during rest of the year student are mostly situated in student dorms Lascina and dr. Ante Starcevic ("Sara").

In Zagreb, exchange students receive two meals per day which you will be able to consume at the hospital/research group you will be working at. On the other hand Zagreb has a number of restaurants, bakeries and pastry shops with affordable prices.

Arrival

Zagreb's Main Railway Station ( Glavni kolodvor )

In Zagreb your contact person will pick you up from the airport, or if you decide to come via train or bus they will meet you at the railway or bus station.
The contact person will try to reach you by e-mail during the month preceding your exchange. We kindly ask you to respond and let him/her know about your arrival information in detail, in order to avoid any confusion. The sooner you inform your contact person about your arrival the more likely it is that he/she can arrange to come and pick you up or find someone else who can do it if he/she is unavailable at the time of your arrival.
The contact person takes you to the student dorm as well as to the research group or clinic on the following day. He/she will be there for the whole time of your exchange to help you in anyway he/she possibly can.

Flights to Zagreb

Zagreb Airport

Zagreb Bus Station

HŽ Croatian Railways

Information about the Dormitories

Student dorm Stjepan Radic (aka "Sava")

Student Dorm (SD) Stjepan Radic

The largest Student Dorm in Zagreb and in Croatia, this dorm is colloquially called “Sava” due to its location near river Sava. It is a home to approximately 3500 students, maybe even more. It has a cinema, concert club, ambulance, 3 cafeterias within, and some popular discotheques and recreational center Jarun nearby. All together it has 9 housing buildings.

SD Cvjetno naselje

Probably the best dorm in Zagreb, houses about 1750 students. Newly refurbished rooms, each one with a bathroom (sometimes two rooms share one), nice exterior and vicinity of city's center are on the plus side. There are 2 cafeterias, some say the best ones. It's small, peaceful and the rooms are big.

Student dorm dr. Ante Starcevic(aka "Sara")

SD Ante Starcevic

SD Ante starcevic (also known as "Sara") has three pavilions and houses approximately 1100 students. It's one of the newest student dorms, and has no cafeteria on its own. There is a basketball field and a gym within the dorm.

SD Ivan Mestrovic

Situated in the center, it's the smallest dorm of all, giving home to around 280 people. It has big and old rooms (the building itself is from the 1930's). No cafeteria, but it's really close to everything in the city.

SD Lascina

A bit outside the main streets, Lascina is the most peaceful dorm with large park and lot's of trees. It is a home to around 500 students, has a cafeteria, a football and basketball field. In July you can also play volleyball and badminton. Rooms are big enough for two students, and the bathrooms are on each floor.

How Do I Get There

What Do I Have To Bring with Me

Except bed sheets, blanket and a pillow, which you are provided with, you can bring whatever you feel is necessary (e.g. towels, soap...) .

Internet

Croatia is active member of eduroam community . Countries that are part of the eduroam community.

That means if you have your eduroam account you can access internet in dormitories as well as in various other locations in Zagreb and also other parts of Croatia.

But in case you don’t have an account, we’ll arrange for you to have a temporary one during you stay in Croatia. (note: by default we set up temporary accounts for students coming from countries that we know are not part of eduroam community)

Laundry

Near Student Dorm "Sava" :

• Self-service laundry "Lahor"
  • Address: Horvaćanska cesta 27
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 8-21, Sat 8-16
    
    

Near Student Dorm "Cvjetno naselje" :

• Self-service laundry "Lahor"
  • Address: Stupnička 16
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 8-21, Sat 8-16 PM
    

Self-service washing (6 kg of Laundry): 25 kn
Self-service drying (6 kg of Laundry): 20 kn
more info at self service laundry

Near Student Dorm "Laščina":

• Dry cleaners "Mašićeva"
  • Address: Mašićeva 1
  • Working hours: ??
    
• Dry cleaners "B.B.Trend"
  • Address : Jordanovac 93
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 6-22
    
    

Student Dorm "Šara" has a washing room for which you need tokens. You will probably need 2 tokens for washing and 2 for drying that equals altogether 20kn. First you get your tokens at the register and then you go to the doorkeeper and ask for a key to the washing room.

Social Program

Your contact person will show you the town, and probably take you along with him/her to some student parties, or otherwise spend time with you, depending on how much time he/she has at his/her disposal. Our local team aspires to arrange some meetings and gatherings around the year, but officially, we only have an organised social programme in July. That includes Welcome and Farewell parties, bar nights and parties just for fun.

The Hospitals

Hospitals with Available Departments

Info about Hospitals

Clinic for Traumatology Zagreb

Clinic for Traumatology Zagreb (Klinika za traumatologiju Zagreb) has 174 hospital beds and is the only clinic of its kind in Croatia. The specificity of the Clinic for Traumatology Zagreb include:

• Reference Center for Spine Surgery RH, the only center of such kind in the country.
• Department of burns, the only separate department for burns with its own operating theater and intensive care unit.
• Department for specific care of the worst injuries of the pelvis.
• Tissue bank, within which is a laboratory for the cultivation of human skin unique in Croatia.
  
  

Clinic is also University institution and participates in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Medical School, University of Zagreb, as well as the permanent education in the specialization of surgery, orthopedics and traumatology.

Clinical Hospital Dubrava (KBD)

Clinical Hospital "Dubrava" is the youngest clinical hospital in Zagreb. It was built in 1988 as military hospital and in that way united three locations of previous military hospital. It stands on the north-eastern part of the city and has great infrastructural connection with the city. KB Dubrava has 600 hospital beds in the stationary part of the hospital. It has a key role in secondary health care for the population of the City of Zagreb as well as in some diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, for whole Republic of Croatia.

The main hospital building is oriented from north to the south, has seven floors of which the upper four are used for hospital departments. Two vertical lines defined by stairs and elevators gather professions of internal medicine in the south and surgical in the north. In addition to intensive care unit there and specified hospital units with the aim of providing semi-intensive and standard hospital care.

Clinical Hospital “Sestre Milosrdnice”

Clinical Hospital “Sestre Milosrdnice” (Sisters of mercy), also called “Vinogradska” Hospital, founded in 1846. and is one of the oldest and biggest hospitals in the Republic of Croatia. The location of the hospital is near the center of Zagreb in Vinogradska Street. Clinical Hospital "Sisters of Mercy" maintains its prestige and importance through competence in the work, scientific research in the field of medical science and education of students, young physicians and other experts in health care.

Specialist training of young doctors dates back a hundred years. In the 1950. hospital received the right to carry out specialist examinations in all areas of medicine. It has 863 beds and 2478 employees. Clinic is the reference center for Neurovascular diseases for Croatia so diagnosis and treatment of unresolved cases from other health care institutions are taken here.

Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb (KBC Zagreb)

Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb (KBC Zagreb)

KBC Zagreb consists of several different clinics, clinical institutes and centers on different locations. It is the largest hospital institution in Croatia and also the largest base of clinical teaching for Medical School, University of Zagreb.

Locations where some segments of KBC Zagreb are:

• Kispaticeva Street (Rebro, multiple clinics),
• Salata (Clinic for Skin and Venereal diseases, Orthopedic Clinic, Psychological Medicine Clinic )
• Petrova Street (Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics)
• Bozidareviceva Street (Department of Rehabilitation and orthopedic aid)
• Gunduliceva Street (Clinic of Dentistry).
  
  

Rebro

Most of University Hospital Zagreb is located on Rebro, a hill in the northern part of Zagreb. It is residence for many reference centers in Croatia, actively collaborates with the world's top health care institutions and readily provides education for all future medical personnel. There is extensive restoration and upgrade project currently underway on Rebro. When finished, it will be a representative hospital center in this part of Europe with the latest technology and top care.

University of Zagreb School of Medicine

Salata

Salata is the main site of Medical Faculty in Zagreb. Most of preclinical teaching, the administration and cafeteria are located there. Some clinics and research centers, like Croatian Institute for Brain Research, can also be found there.

Petrova

Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics is the largest and oldest institution of that kind in Croatia. Clinic’s scope of work consists of the family planning, monitoring of pregnancy and birth as well as care for infants and, on the other hand, the preservation and improvement of the quality of women's health care and treatment of malignant disease.

How Do I Get There

Work Conditions & Certificates

The clerkship starts between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the morning and lasts until 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. but it can vary depending on the department. Working days are Monday to Friday. To obtain the certificate 80% of work days are to be attended, unless arranged otherwise with tutor.

Students are to bring their own white coat and stethoscope (if exchange is in department of gynecology/obstetrics, sports medicine, traumatology, emergency medicine – special shoes only for hospital are needed, too).

Students are not allowed to walk in white coat or scrubs outside the hospital!!!

Two meals are provided by the hospital, usually breakfast and lunch, only on work days. Other meals and meals during the weekend are not organized nor given pocket money for – students have to take care of that themselves.

Other Information

Important Phone Numbers

International number for Croatia: +385
Police: 92
Firefighters: 93
Ambulance: 94
Road aid: (+385 1) 987
Weather and road condition: +385 1 46 40 800
Traffic conditions: +385 1 46 40 800
Croatian autoclub (HAK): +385 1 66 11 999
Information of local and longdistant phone numbers: 988
Information of international phone numbers: 902
General information: 981

Croatian angels - tourist information available in Croatian, English, German and Italian from the 23.03.-15.10. on number: 062 999 999 (+385 62 999 999)

Cell Phones

Money & Banking

Croatian kuna banknotes

Incoming students who purchase goods worth more than 500 Kn may keep their tax cheque receipts and claim a VAT (Value added tax or Croatian translation "PDV") return at the customs office when leaving.

Croatian currency

Electricity

Plugs deliver a voltage of 220 volts AC with a frequency of 50 hertz.

Croatia uses the standard European 2 point plugs.

Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking

In Croatia it is illegal to take any kind of recreational drugs. The legal drinking age is 18 for alcoholic drinks. Selling cigarettes to minors (persons under 18 years of age) is prohibited. Note that smoking is not allowed in public places, unless explicitly specified (e.g. some café bars and restaurants have separate areas for smokers).

Post Office

• In city center, also near tram station "Draškovičeva" to School of Medicine and Institute for Brain Research:
  • Address: Jurišićeva 13
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 7-20, Sat 7-13

• In city center, also near tram station "Britanski trg" to CH Sestre Milosrdnice
  • Address: Republike Austrije 38
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 8-19, Sat 8-13

Croatian post office

• Near tram station "Mašićeva" to CHC Rebro, CH Merkur and SD Lascina:
  • Address: Mandorićeva 3
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 8-19, Sat 8-13

• Within SD Stjepan Radić:
  • Address: Horvaćanski zavoj bb
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 8-15

• Within SD Cvjetno naselje, also near SD Ante Starčević:
  • Address: Odranska 8
  • Working hours: Mon-Fri 10-17

A Couple of Words in the End

If you are a med student who is coming to Zagreb for your one month long IFMSA student exchange program we hope these articles gave you the vital information you need and want when you decide to come to a foreign city. Be assured we will welcome you with open arms and a genuine passion for getting to know you and your culture as well as introducing you to our own. If you require any further information feel free to contact your Croatian contact student via email. The local officials are also at your disposal via email so don’t hesitate to contact them either.

On the other hand if you are merely a by passer we hope we provided you with any information you desired as well as an interesting reading material. We put a lot of our time and energy into the articles on this website and we would appreciate any praise or criticism on our behalf.

Other Cities Offered for Exchange

Osijek

Rijeka

Split

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