Lotrščak tower is one of my favorite buildings in Zagreb. It stands old & proud, overlooking downtown Zagreb like its strong guardian. Built in the 13th century as part of the old town’s defensive walls, Lotrščak got its name from Latin campana latrunculorum – the bell of the thieves. It was a bell that used to ring every night before the gates of the city were closed for the night to keep old Zagreb’s residents safe.

Today, this tower is more about love than war, since it’s part of the most romantic promenade – Strossmayerovo šetalište. It’s beautiful during the day, but at night it becomes part of a magical scenery that melts my heart every time. Lotrščak is still in use today, and not only as a tourist attraction. If you find yourself in the center of Zagreb at noon, don’t get scared when you hear a loud cannon firing. It’s only Lotrščak tower letting city folk know that it’s exactly 12 o’ clock.

The tower is open for the public and at the top you can see the canon that’s been firing every day since 1927. The custom started in the 19th century so that all the churches could set their bells to ring at the exact same time. Besides the canon, the tower is a gallery for different exhibitions. There is also a little souvenir shop.

Lotrščak is only a few minutes from the main square Trg bana Jelačića and you can get there with Uspinjača, the shortest funicular in the world.