Marija Jurić Zagorka Zagreb
Zagreb's finest daughter
On vivacious, tourist-filled Tkalčićeva, there is a small, quieter spot, easily missed. Behind the cafes’ chairs, there is a semicircle, with gravel on the ground, a few benches and a sculpture of a woman. This is Zagreb’s true heroine, Marija Jurić Zagorka (1873-1957).
Marija Jurić (Zagorka is a pen name, meaning “a woman from Zagorje region") was a writer and Croatia’s first female journalist. Her career was difficult, as she had to fight a lot of prejudice in order to get work. Fortunately, she never gave up, and she had the support of Zagreb’s great patron, bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer.
Through many years of her career, she read miles of archives, often reading well into the night. She used this knowledge to write about a dozen amazing novels, all but one set (at least partially) in her hometown Zagreb. I love her novels because her love for our city is evident in every sentence she wrote. The novels are mostly historic, with real-life characters such as the empress Maria Theresa, king Mathias Corvinus & many Croatian noblemen. Most of her novels feature a love story, too, mainly about made up characters. This was done in order to make the books appealing to a wide audience.
Marija Jurić Zagorka frequently had her work underestimated as “trivial” & “not artistic enough”. Therefore it was a great achievement when in 1991 this simple, yet beautiful sculpture by Stjepan Gračan was placed in the very heart of the city that she so successfully immortalized through her work.
About this spot
Ulica Ivana Tkalčića 25
- 24 hours daily
€
free
Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Zagreb
Express Bar
Excellent coffee and people watching
"Express Bar" feels like a visit to your best girlfriend in Zagreb, who also happens to have an exquisite taste in home decor and really makes an effort...
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Velvet Pepper Studio
Yoga & swing
"Velvet Pepper Studio" Zagreb is a light-filled yoga studio that specialises in yoga swings, where you have to stay concentrated! Classes also in English.
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
La štruk
Creative twists to a traditional meal
"La štruk" in Zagreb makes štrukli, the Croatian comfort food par excellence, with creative twists: gratinated, additional toppings... Nothing comes close!
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Krivi Put
For reevaluating your life choices
"Krivi put" in Zagreb means 'wrong path', and it's a bar that you might end up in if you've taken plenty of wrong turns in your life...
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Botaničar
Art, parties and plants
"Botaničar" in Zagreb is a hip bar that's also a gallery and social club. Let me tell you: spending time here makes you want to invest in houseplants.
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Regular.Bar
Regularly pleasant
"Regular.Bar" in Zagreb is special. It has this homey feeling the city's backyards share. They even serve free cucumber water. Need I say more?
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Hotel Vila Tina
Brunch and relaxation
"Hotel Vila Tina" is a small hotel in Zagreb, one of the city's hidden jewels. I love coming here for their rich breakfast with family and friends...
by
Nina
Lalić
Swanky Monkey Garden
Hostel bar that locals adore
"Swanky Monkey Garden" in Zagreb is a local-friendly hostel with a great bar and garden I always enjoy sipping a cocktail at on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Park Maksimir
The oldest but most beautiful!
"Park Maksimir" in Zagreb is more than a park. This is where memories are created, where you see the forest for the first time. So many reasons to love it.
by
Nevena
Mikec
Trg Svetog Marka
Zagreb's oldest square
"Trg Svetog Marka", or St. Mark's square, is the heart and soul of Zagreb's Upper Town. Beautiful, quiet and replete with rich history...
by
Nina
Lalić
Bacchus Jazz Bar
The greenest courtyard
"Bacchus Jazz Bar" in Zagreb is one of my favorite places in the city for a warm, lazy summer evening. The courtyard is completely covered with plants...
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Heading to Zagreb?
135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 135 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Zagreb
Get to know our other Spotters from Zagreb
As featured on:
