Zagreb Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral-church located in the Kaptol neighborhood of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and to kings Saint Stephen and Saint Ladislaus. It is the second tallest building in Croatia and the most monumental sacral building in Gothic style southeast of the Alps .
Zagreb Cathedral was first built in 1093, but it was destroyed by fire and invasion several times throughout history. The current appearance of the cathedral dates back to the 19th century, when it was reconstructed and expanded by the architect Hermann Bollé, who added two 108-meter-high spires that became a landmark of the city . The cathedral was damaged again by an earthquake in 2020.
Zagreb Cathedral is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, except on Sundays and holidays, when it is open from 13:00 to 17:00.
Zagreb Cathedral’s entrance is free, but donations are welcome.
Visitors can admire the Gothic interior, the sacristy, the treasury, the sarcophagus of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, and the tombs of Croatian martyrs and nobles .
The Zagreb Cathedral can be reached by public transport (tram lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 14, or 17) or by car (parking is available at Kaptol Center or Dolac Market). There are also guided tours available for groups or individuals, which can be booked online or at the tourist information center.
Some tips for visiting the Zagreb Cathedral are:
- Dress modestly and respectfully, as it is a place of worship.
- Do not take photos or videos inside the cathedral without permission.
- Do not touch or lean on the artworks or monuments.
- Do not bring food or drinks inside the cathedral.
- Do not make noise or disturb other visitors or worshippers.
Some of the highlights of the Zagreb Cathedral are:
- The main altar, which features a painting of the Assumption of Mary by Albrecht Dürer’s pupil Georg Strauch.
- The organ, which is one of the largest and most beautiful in Europe, with 6,270 pipes and 79 registers.
- The stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament, as well as Croatian saints and history.
- The chapel of Saint Ladislaus, which contains a silver statue of the king and a Gothic crucifix from the 14th century.
- The chapel of Saint Stephen, which contains a stone relief of the king’s coronation and a painting of his martyrdom by Ivan Tišov.
