Day 1: Croatia - Zagreb

We grabbed a red-eye out of Kuala Lumpur, and after a 10-hour flight—with a quick 2-hour layover in Istanbul—we finally touched down in Zagreb the next morning. As soon as we landed at Franjo Tuđman Airport, a coach was waiting to whisk us off. No rest for the weary—we dived straight into our Zagreb adventure!

Zagreb is 6 hours behind Malaysia.

Brass relief map of Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia.

The globe embedded within the star displays the word "Welcome" in various languages.

Ban Josip Jelačić Square

Lunch @ Bobani

Zagreb, as the capital of Croatia, is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, with about 86% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. This Catholic majority is reflected in the city’s rich spiritual history, where numerous churches, monuments, and statues dedicated to the Virgin Mary, saints, and other significant figures of the Catholic faith can be found. These religious landmarks highlight the integral role the Catholic Church has played in shaping both the city’s culture and its identity. For me, these sites hold great personal meaning, as they connect me to my faith and the rich history that has shaped both my beliefs and my deep connection to this beautiful city.

The Zagreb Cathedral, is a Catholic cathedral in Kaptol. It is the second tallest building in Croatia and the most monumental sacral building of Gothic architecture southeast of the Alps.

Franciscan Monastery of Saint Francis of Assisi

Assumption of the Virgin Mary Fountain

Dolac market

Ornate spire  in gold and green of Saint Mary in Dolac 

A blue tram makes its way down Preobraženska Street.

St. Mark’s Cathedral 

This Gothic masterpiece is famous for its vibrant, mosaic-tiled roof, showcasing the medieval coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia. Built in the 13th century, it stands as a symbol of Zagreb’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Radićeva Street

The Zagreb Funicular,  holds the unique title of being the shortest public-transport funicular in the world, covering a track length of just 66 meters (217 feet). This quaint funicular connects Zagreb’s Lower Town (Donji Grad) with the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), traveling between Tomislav Street at the bottom and Strossmayer Promenade at the top in just 55 seconds

Uspinjača means funicular in Croatian

Lotrščak tower

The Lotrščak Tower dates back to the 13th century. Originally part of the city's defensive walls, it was used in medieval times to protect the city from invaders, including pirates. The tower is famous for its cannon, which was fired daily at noon, both as a time signal and a defensive measure to frighten potential threats. 

Today, the cannon still fires daily at noon, but now it shoots confetti, adding a festive touch to the tradition. Every day, you'll see tourists eagerly doing the countdown just before noon, waiting for the cannon’s shot

                                  

FUN FACT

Interestingly, did you know that Croatia was once part of Yugoslavia? Haha, I thought Yugoslavia still existed! 🤦‍♀️

Formed after World War I, Yugoslavia was a federation that included six republics—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—along with the autonomous province of Kosovo. After World War II, it became a socialist state under Josip Broz Tito.

However, by the 1990s, growing ethnic tensions and political instability led to the breakup of the country. Croatia declared its independence in 1991, and after a period of conflict, it became a fully sovereign nation. Yugoslavia officially dissolved in 2006, with Serbia and Montenegro splitting into two separate countries. Today, Croatia stands as an independent nation, but its history as part of Yugoslavia is an important chapter in its journey to sovereignty.

That's the beauty of traveling—every journey is an opportunity to discover new things and learn historical facts you never bothered to look into before!