Zagreb's Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Zagreb

St. Mark's Church is a parish church in old Zagreb. The Romanesque window on its south facade, much as the semicircular ground-plan of St. Mary's chapel, suggest that the church must have been built as early as the 13th century. In the second half of the 14th century it was radically reconstructed and turned into a late Gothic-style church of the three-nave type. The Gothic composition of the portal consists of fifteen effigies placed in eleven shallow niches. On top are the statues of Joseph and Mary with the infant Jesus, and below them one can see St. Mark and the Lion; the Twelve Apostles are placed on both sides of the portal (four wooden statues replaced the original ones which had been destroyed). In its artistic composition and the number of statues, this portal is the richest and the most valuable Gothic portal in South Eastern Europe.

Why You Should Visit: This iconic little church is one of Zagreb's most popular and endearing symbols! The tiled roof sparkles and shines in the sunlight.

Zagreb Cathedral is the most important and famous religious edifice in the city. Its construction was started in the 11th century, but was not finished because of wars and other reasons. Its present neo-Gothic facade appeared in the 18th century. Wood was largely used in the cathedral's construction and the scent of old wood is felt inside even today. Part of the interior are the stained-glass windows depicting biblical events. Also, there are a Baroque altar and several paintings and sculptures featuring the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

Why You Should Visit: One of the city's main landmarks; an impressive building located in Zagreb's city center.

The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts dates back to 1867. It was built on the initiative of Bishop Strossmayer. The building features Italian Renaissance style, and has been brought up to date technologically. The first director of the Academy was historian Franjo Racki. On the second floor of the academy is the gallery of master Strossmayer.

The Croatian National Theater in Zagreb was established in 1840. The theater moved into its current location in 1895; the unveiling ceremony was attended by Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I. The building itself was the project of famed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer, whose firm had built several theaters in Vienna. Celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the building were held on October 14, 1995. At the theater's entrance, you can see the famed wall fountain "The Source of Life", designed by Croatian artist and sculptor Ivan Meštrović in 1905

Why You Should Visit: It is a gorgeous building in a park-like setting, surrounded by other beautiful buildings. If you are lucky, you may catch a performance and get a chance to see its equally gorgeous interiors, too.

The Croatian State Archives building is an example of modern European style architecture with the 20th century elements. It is located in a park and holds a great number of important documents. Initially designed to host a university library and archives, it was later - between the two world wars - renamed and reestablished as an independent institution for state archives.

The Cibona Tower is ranked the 3rd highest in Croatia. It stands 92 meters tall and has 25 levels. The radio mast on its roof extends the height to 105 meters. The skyscraper is a cylinder, 25 meters in diameter, which reduces its diameter in four stages. The facade is composed of dark steel, totally reflective glass, and black granite. The first stage ends up on the 21st floor, second on the 23rd floor, third on the 24th floor, and the fourth on the 25th floor. The rim of the tower is held by the 26 reinforced concrete pylons, which make it resistant to a 7° Richter scale earthquake, and the impact of a small airplane.