Zagreb: capital and largest city of Croatia, population approximately 1.2 million for the wider metropolitan area and located along the Sava river which flows through 4 countries and into the Black Sea.
I got to know Zagreb a little better this morning with a walking tour. Zagreb also has a funicular which we rode to the top for city views and from there we visited churches, cathedrals, the Stone Gate where people also go to pray and the Dolac food market open every day until 1pm. I also met some of the locals in traditional Croatian dress.
Speaking of cities; public restrooms. We all secretly pass judgement on a city by the state of them, right? Zagreb had one of the most unique I have come across so far. On waving your hand to flush, an automated arm comes out from the back which has some sort of cleaning/sanitising pad on it. The plastic toilet seat then rotates, essentially wiping the seat down for the next person. Nifty, hey? And, it was free of charge unlike many European cities. I'm impressed!
St Mark's Church
Traditional Croatian dress
Did you know that the kravata (neck tie) was invented in Croatia? The story goes that wives and girlfriends of soldiers would tie a piece of cloth with their scent on it around the soldiers necks so that they would be reminded of home. Apparently the French soldiers fancied the kravata over their own lace collars and the Croatian scarf was soon copied and accepted in France. And now fellas, you know who to blame for having to wear the neck tie.
Kravata shop (you will also see these being sold in souvenir shops)
City Walls, Zagreb
Kumrovec: This village only has a population of approx. 300 but was the birth place of marshal Josip Broz Tito, born 1892.
The tour visited the peasant house of Tito and the surrounding properties have been restored to reflect village life of 100 years ago. Tito played an important role in Croatian history but there are mixed feelings about him in this country. While Tito was the leader of the Partisan's, Europe's most effective anti-Nazi resistance movement, and a Yugoslav revolutionary he was also seen to be a benevolent dictator due to his economic and diplomatic policies.
History aside, Kumrovec is a charming old village where people still live, children go to school and chooks roam free. (I'm a sucker for chooks and village life.)
After the village, an alfresco dinner was presented under the grape vines with distant views of the Veliki Tabor Castle. We were spoilt with cured meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, duck and veal with apple strudel for dessert. Did I mention the unlimited wine? Happy days.
Kumrovec
Dinner under the grape vines