Zagreb: Architecture, Art & History + Inside the Cathedral (small group)

Explore Zagreb’s past on my Architecture, Art & History + Inside the Cathedral Walking Tour. 

We will start by stepping inside the magnificent Zagreb Cathedral. It is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks — soaring Gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, and centuries of history all in one breathtaking space. We will take a few moments to explore, learn the stories behind its reconstruction and treasures, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. We will also find out who treated the Cathedral’s baroque altars like bulky waste — and why. 

You will encounter a truly unusual alphabet, unlike anything you have seen before — its beautiful, intricate letters tell a fascinating story about Croatia’s cultural heritage. We will also discover how a 20th-century archbishop left a lasting mark on the country’s modern history and national psyche.

You will learn about two Hungarian kings who played crucial roles in Zagreb’s medieval past: King Ladislas and King Béla IV. We will uncover stories of legendary figures such as Nikola Tesla, the brilliant inventor and scientist; Alexander Karađorđević, the authoritarian Serbian king whose despotic rule shook the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to its core; and Josip Broz Tito, the president-for-life of socialist Yugoslavia from the end of World War II until 1980, a charismatic and controversial figure who managed to keep the country united while maintaining independence from both the Soviet Union and the West. 

We will dive into Zagreb's fascinating architecture, including the hidden Nazi-era tunnel beneath the city. Along the way, we will talk about Yugoslav socialist and communist ideology, the Ottoman threat, and peasants’ revolts, as well as the masters of Croatian naive art. 

Join me to experience Zagreb in a way you will never forget.