Kamenita Vrata (The Stone Gate), Zagreb

The Stone Gate is the only preserved medieval city gate of Zagreb’s Upper Town, marking the eastern entrance to the former fortified settlement of Gradec. In 1242, Gradec was declared a free royal city with the right to self-government, prompting the construction of defensive walls and fortified gates; the Stone Gate, believed to date from 1266, is the sole survivor.

It takes the form of a rectangular entrance tower, once integrated into the town walls. Narrow loopholes on its northern and western sides, added in the 16th century, hint at its defensive past, while the central passage still functions as a route through the structure.

In 1731, a fire destroyed much of Gradec, but a painting of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus, housed inside the gate, was found untouched. This event transformed the passage into a place of devotion, and a chapel was established within the gateway, with the painting set behind a wrought-iron grille. Whether viewed as a miracle or not, the site remains active, with visitors and locals alike lighting candles and offering prayers.

Rows of candles line the walls, and among the details is a small figure of Dora Krupićeva, a character from The Goldsmith's Gold, shown holding the keys to the city.