Feb 5, 2025

The Ancient City Zagreb

Roman relics in the center

"Zagreb is supposed to have been founded in the Middle Ages, but just to the south there used to be Roman Andautonia. These three relics are so fascinating!"

Zagreb is not famous as an ancient Roman town, as it was officially founded in the Middle Ages, in 1094. However, just south of today’s Zagreb, there was quite a large Roman town called Andautonia, which was an important spot near Sava river, on the way to the big Roman city of Siscia (today’s Sisak). Today’s Zagreb center is not far, and naturally, life thrived here, too.

Three important findings attest to that: the head of a statue of a bearded Roman man, found in Petrinjska street, a bronze coin with the motif of emperor Diocletian (who was born in Salona, near Croatia’s second largest city of Split!) found at Ban Jelačić Square, and a tombstone with an epitaph found on Kaptol hill, close to the Cathedral. Copies of all of these are on display at the very places they were found, within a few hundred meters from each other.

My favorite one is the tombstone with the Latin inscription, which (roughly) translates to: “to Aconia, daughter of Caius, such a wife that are rare”. I love this simple inscription because it shows how much a man loved and missed his wife. It shows the romantic in me that love has always been a part of Zagreb, and it will continue to be so. And it is a great reminder that Zagreb is much older than what the books tell us.

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Kaptol ulica 29

free

Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Zagreb guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Zagreb

Kino Tuškanac

A celebration of the art of cinema

"Kino Tuškanac" is a cinephile's cinema in Zagreb. It's got unpretentious looks, but don't let that fool you -- the program is great. No popcorn allowed!

008-ticket
Cinema

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Mar 17, 2025

Maksimir Stairs

A stairway to heaven

"The Maksimir stairs" in Zagreb are located in the biggest park of Southeast Europe - a great place to go on an extensive jog or for a breath of fresh air...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Hrvoje

Brigljević

Mar 14, 2025

Galerija Link

A paradise for design fans

"Galerija Link" in Zagreb is a design-oriented souvenir shop that has such great decorative and useful items, I often come here to shop for myself, too!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Mirna

Marić

Mar 14, 2025

Studio78

Creative girl power

Discover a hidden Zagreb showroom showcasing handcrafted jewelry, clothing, ceramics, and more. Have a look and support talented local women artisans!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Mirna

Marić

Mar 11, 2025

Botanical Garden

Meet the diverse Croatian flora

Botanical Garden in Zagreb may not sound like the most exciting proposition, but I love coming here for the events and the quiet from the city noise...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Mirna

Marić

Mar 5, 2025

Ribice i Tri Točkice

Tasty fish, joyful ambience

Ribice i Tri Točkice Zagreb makes some of the best value-for-money seafood in the city. It's my first choice to eat fish, and I love the joyous ambience.

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 27, 2025

Petras Atelier

Offbeat jewelry and other goodies

Petras Atelier in central Zagreb is based on the artworks by a creative mother-daughter duo. I come here for original gifts though, I like just browsing!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 23, 2025

Kavana Lav

Soak in the charm of Upper town

Kavana Lav Zagreb is situated in a former palace and still has a gallery. Almost never crowded, together with its balcony it's peaceful & quiet...

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 23, 2025

Museum of Contemporary Art

Long-awaited showpiece

Zagreb's Museum of Contemporary Art took many years to be completed, but it's well worth it. I come here to rediscover classics or catch cultural events.

002-building
Art & culture
008-ticket
Cinema
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 23, 2025

Wirtshaus

Hearty Meals at the Foothill of Sljeme

The food is delicious - from hearty seasonal soups and crispy fried potatoes to their staple Wiener Tafelspitz, everything is fresh and very tasty.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Nina

Lalić

Feb 21, 2025

Breadclub

Cruffins from heaven

Breadclub is an artisanal bakery in Zagreb. It sounds like an exaggeration, but believe me, everything is delicious here - it's always hard to choose...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 21, 2025

Program Bar

For coffee and design lovers

Program Bar in Zagreb has superb coffee and some offbeat decoration. This cafe has become one of my favorites for long, relaxing sessions with friends...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Mirna

Marić

Feb 21, 2025

Heading to Zagreb?

135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Zagreb this weekend?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

135 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Zagreb

Get to know our other Spotters from Zagreb

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
cached_response not present
7284
Filters