By its historical tradition, cultural relations, and, above all, its urban planning,  Zagreb is a distinctly Central European city situated in the middle of the triangle of Vienna, Budapest and Venice. It has always been and remains a part of the cultural circle of Central Europe.

The city with a tradition of almost one thousand years celebrated its 900th birthday in 1994. It is a big centre of congress tourism, economic and business events, and trade fairs not only in Croatia but also in this part of Europe.

We could summarize the impressions of the growing number of foreigners who visit Zagreb in one sentence: a city of a million inhabitants that has managed to stay romantic, clean, and which offers visitors pleasant walks and enjoyment in a city full of parks and pedestrian zones. In short, it is a city that has managed to preserve its soul and identity, its cultural and historical heritage, and we are very proud of this.

Zagreb's architecture, streets, squares of Upper and Lower town, open air green markets, churches and monuments are all witnesses of a history that successfully resisted the fast tempo of life at the end of the last century.
World famous Zagreb souvenirs include: the ball-point pen, invented by Slavoljub Penkala, who hails from Zagreb, more than 80 years ago, and the tie, an accessory named after Croatian horsemen who fought on the European fronts from the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century up to the French Revolution, wearing characteristic scarves around their necks.

The surrounding areas of Zagreb are particularly attractive, with their rich vineyards and wine roads, Medieval and Baroque castles (the greatest concentration of castles after the Loire valley) and many health spas. 
The city is experiencing a true renaissance, with a flourishing economy and a rising standard of living.

Area: 641,355 km2
Population: 779,145 (data from 2001)

University
The University of Zagreb is the oldest in Croatia and one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded in 1669. So far more than 200,000 students have graduated, more than 18,000 took Master’s Degree, and more than 8,000 took Doctor’s Degree.
Scientific, teaching and art-oriented work is performed at 28 faculties, 3 art academies, an expert Teacher Academy and at Croatian Studies. 

Culture
The City of Zagreb is responsible for 38 cultural institutions which include 10 city museums, most significant of which are the Zagreb Municipal Museum, the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

A Brief History of Zagreb
The Zagreb of today has grown out of two medieval settlements that for centuries developed on neighbouring hills. The first written mention of the city dates from 1094, when a diocese was founded on Kaptol, while in 1242, neighbouring Gradec was proclaimed a free and royal city. Both the settlements were surrounded by high walls and towers, remains of which are still preserved.

During the Turkish onslaughts on Europe, between the 14th and 18th centuries, Zagreb was an important border fortress. The Baroque reconstruction of the city in the 17th and 18th centuries changed the appearance of the city. The old wooden houses were demolished while opulent palaces, monasteries and churches were built. The many trade fairs, the revenues from landed estates and the offerings of the many craft workshops greatly contributed to the wealth of the city. Affluent aristocratic families, royal officials, church dignitaries and rich traders from the whole of Europe moved into the city. Schools and hospitals were opened, and the manners of European capitals were adopted. The city outgrew its medieval borders and spread to the lowlands. The first parks and country houses were built. Zagreb confirmed its position as the administrative, cultural and economic centre of Croatia.

When Kaptol, Gradec and the surrounding settlements were administratively combined into the integrated city of Zagreb in 1850, the development accelerated even further. The disastrous earthquake of 1880 sparked off the reconstruction and modernization of many shabby neighbourhoods and buildings. Prestigious public buildings were erected, parks and fountains were made, and transportation and other infrastructures were organized.

In the 19th century the population increased tenfold. The twentieth century brought the Secession style to Zagreb. The city lived in the luxury of a civil society, with firm links to all the central European centres. With an increase in wealth and industry from the 1960s onward, the city spread out over the wide plains alongside the Sava River, where a new, contemporary business city has developed, ready for the challenges of the third millennium.