Church
St Mark’s Church
Zagreb · Zagreb & Central Croatia
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Church
- COUNTRY
- Croatia
- REGION
- Zagreb · Zagreb & Central Croatia
- DURATION
- 2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
St Mark’s Church is the most recognisable building in Zagreb, a 13th-century church on St Mark’s Square whose roof is tiled in the bright coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and the city of Zagreb. The roof, added in the 19th century, is the image of the capital on every postcard, and the square around it holds the Croatian parliament and the ban’s palace — the political heart of the country on a medieval square.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
A church has stood on this site since the 13th century, serving the craftsmen’s town of Gradec. The present building is largely Gothic and baroque, with the famous tiled roof added in the 1880s by the architect Hermann Bollé during a major restoration. The coats of arms on the roof — the medieval kingdoms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia, and the city of Zagreb — make it the single most photographed sight in the capital.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The tiled roof with the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Zagreb.
The south portal with its Romanesque and Gothic sculpture.
St Mark’s Square, with the parliament and the ban’s palace.
The interior, with its carved wooden ceiling and sculpture (open limited hours).
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
St Mark’s is the image of Zagreb and the centre of its political and medieval identity — the church, the parliament and the square in one place. For a visitor it is the single sight that defines the Upper Town.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
THROUGH THE LENS
From the road
MAP & LOCATION
St Mark’s Church
St Mark’s Church, Zagreb, Zagreb & Central Croatia, Croatia
45.8156, 15.9758
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Zagreb
THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Vinodol — Croatian cooking near the centre
Tkalčićeva’s cafés and bistros
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotel Esplanade — grand hotel near the station
Boutique hotels in the lower town
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
INTERESTS
Explore by what you love
PART OF
Keep exploring
The atlas goes on — more attractions, destinations and stories from every corner of the world.