In a wall niche on the Upper Town side of the Stone Gate, there is a sculpture of a young woman, Dora Krupićeva. Dora is the female protagonist of the famous historic novel “Zlatarevo zlato” (The Goldsmith’s Gold), written by Zagreb’s writer, journalist, politician and benefactor, August Šenoa (1838 – 1881).

The bronze statue is work of the sculptor Ivo Kerdić and it shows a young woman with keys in her hand. According to Šenoa’s novel, set in the 16th century, Dora’s father and Dora lived right next to the Stone Gate and held the keys to it. It is a well known fact that all the Upper Town gates would open every morning and close every evening for the safety of its citizens (this was a common practice throughout Europe at the time). The novel was written in the 19th century and it describes the history of Zagreb. It also features the tragic love story of Dora Krupićeva. Luckily, this part is made up.

I like looking upon this statue whenever I pass by, because for me it is a perfect, symbolic reminder of Zagreb’s notable history, a beautiful homage to the artistic creator of Dora, the great August Šenoa, and a nice addition to one of the most prominent spots in Zagreb, the Stone Gate.