Historic Zagreb and the Emerald Waters of Plitvice Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

Our journey in Croatia began in the vibrant capital city of Zagreb, a metropolis of around 800,000 people that beautifully blends its historical roots with a contemporary energy. Zagreb's origins lie in the merging of two medieval fortress towns perched atop hills overlooking the Sava River, a strategic location that shaped its early development. It later experienced a significant rebirth in the Baroque period, flourishing as a vital center of business, perfectly positioned on the crucial routes connecting Central Europe to the Adriatic Sea. Today, while Zagreb stands as the undeniable heart of contemporary Croatia's culture, art, sports, and academics, its rich history is far from forgotten and is beautifully preserved within its core.








The city boasts a truly charming medieval 'old city', a delight to explore with its beautiful architecture and cobbled streets that immediately evoke the atmosphere of other grand Central-European capitals like Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Wandering through these historical streets, you feel transported back in time, surrounded by buildings that tell stories of centuries past. A particularly poignant spot in the Upper Town is the Old Town Gate, located at the top of Radićeva street. Known as the "Kamenita vrata" (Stone Gate), this historic gateway has been transformed into a cherished shrine to the Virgin Mary. It's a place of quiet devotion where visitors and locals alike can light a candle or place a vow, with a strong local belief that doing so will result in their wish being granted. The portrait of Mary housed within the gate is considered especially sacred, as it is famously the only thing that miraculously survived the great fire in Zagreb in 1731, an event that devastated much of the city but left this image untouched.








Dominating the skyline from Kaptol Hill is the magnificent Zagreb Cathedral, which proudly stands as the tallest building in Croatia. The cathedral's architecture is typically Gothic, a style evident in its soaring spires, pointed arches, and intricate stonework. Its sacristy is particularly noted for its great architectural value. The history of the cathedral is a long and often challenging one; construction originally started in 1093, but the building has faced destruction and rebuilding over the centuries. It was severely damaged in the devastating 1880 Zagreb earthquake, an event that caused the main nave to collapse and left one of its towers beyond repair. The subsequent extensive restoration of the cathedral in the Neo-Gothic style was led by the renowned architect Hermann Bollé, who brought the cathedral to its present form. As part of an ongoing and extensive general restoration of the cathedral, the two prominent spires, each reaching 108 meters (354 ft) high, which were raised on the western side during Bollé's restoration, are currently themselves in the process of being restored, a testament to the continuous effort required to preserve such historical landmarks.








Leaving the urban charm of Zagreb behind, we ventured to one of Europe's most breathtaking natural wonders: Plitvice Lakes National Park. Spanning over 296.85 square kilometers (or 73,350 acres), this park is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Its exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance led to this system of 16 interlinked lakes and the surrounding large forest complex being set aside as a national park in 1949. Recognizing its unique value on a global scale, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register in 1979, among the very first natural sites worldwide to receive this prestigious designation.







The most renowned feature of Plitvice is undoubtedly its lakes, celebrated for their absolutely stunning and distinctive colors, ranging from mesmerizing azure and vibrant green to subtle grey and deep blue. What makes the lakes truly magical is that these colors change constantly, influenced by the quantity of minerals and organisms present in the water and the angle of the sunlight hitting the surface. The interplay of light and water creates an ever-shifting palette of incredible hues. The park is also heavily forested, primarily with majestic beech, spruce, and fir trees, creating a lush and verdant backdrop to the lakes. The vegetation features a fascinating mixture of Alpine and Mediterranean plant communities, a result of the park's diverse topography and climate. Plitvice boasts a notably wide variety of plant communities, thriving due to its range of microclimates, differing soil types, and varying levels of altitude across the park. The geological formation of the lakes and the countless waterfalls that connect them is also a key feature, with natural travertine barriers having built up over millennia, creating the stepped series of lakes and cascades that define the park's unique landscape. Walking along the well-maintained boardwalks and trails that wind through and around the lakes and waterfalls provides an immersive experience in this natural paradise, with the sound of cascading water and the vibrant colors creating an unforgettable sensory experience. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a place of extraordinary natural beauty that truly lives up to its reputation.