The Joy of Driving
Not many things bring me joy as driving a car, and Zagreb streets are a perfect location for it. The only problem is that I'm currently not driving but being jaded by the traffic jam. This got me thinking about the dynamics of our predecessors prior to mechanical vehicles. It was probably cool maneuvering a horse and a carriage back in the day. Every drive through the Lower Town reminds me of this.
On the majority of the buildings, you will notice old passages constructed in a way so that carriages could enter courtyards. If you think about it, modern transportation is a rather new occurrence in our capital. The story starts with a beautiful lady, the funicular. In 1890, it started to operate, and it had a steam engine. Unfortunately, it had a lot of difficulties in the first years of the operation. Even today, if you look closely, you will see stairs between the two funicular railways. Why, you ask? At that time it was perfectly normal for the funicular to stop, the passengers would disembark and continue walking up the stairs. There were even some occasions when they would go the extra distance and push the funicular up! Luckily, in the first half of the 20th century it was electrified, and today, it is the safest public transportation in Zagreb.
Image credit: Filip Donadic
Although safety is her biggest asset, speed is not. This means that she was faster with a steam engine. Nowadays, as the shortest funicular in the world, it takes her approximately 60 seconds to reach its end point.
The second public transportation would be Zagreb tram. If the funicular is a ''she'', then let’s crown the tram with a ''he''. Our tram is considerably different from the one that was born in 1891. The first tram was actually horse driven. You got to love those horses! The blue tram is one of the symbols of the city that dictates lives and routes of so many locals.
Image credit: Lana Susa
The first car was driven in Zagreb in 1901. Thank you Mr. Ferdinand Budicki for starting this tradition. I believe a man of his caliber deserves a sentence or two. It took him 48 hours to cover the route from Vienna to Zagreb. This is completely understandable if we take into consideration the fact that Mr. Budicki had never driven a vehicle prior to that, and he managed somehow with a lot of courage, determination and a touch of craziness. He taught himself how to drive an Opel car on this journey towards Zagreb. While entering our metropolis, the citizens were overwhelmed. They had never seen such a creation called an automobile. The mutual verdict from the citizens was that it is too loud and most definitely too fast. This was a totally logical observation since the car could achieve rocket fast 20 kilometers per hour. Our lead actor Budicki even got a speeding ticket. After the people got accustomed to the idea and the sight of a vehicle, it was time to educate new drivers. The problem was that driving schools were none existing. Budiciki took this matter into his hands. He formed a committee and explained to them how they should test potential drivers. Budicki himself was the first candidate to whom the same committee gave the first driver’s license. You got to respect the beautiful irony of life.
Image credit: Filip Donadic
Since we conquered the road, let's learn how to fly. Mr. Slavoljub Penkala, world-renowned for inventing the mechanical pen, is slightly less known as one of the first men who constructed and flew the airplane in Zagreb. In 1910, he managed to put this idea into action and elevated himself off the ground. Although all the locals know that Črnomerec is one of the biggest tram hubs in Zagreb, the majority of them is not aware that this was also the first improvised airport in Zagreb.
While contemplating about these guys and their unorthodox lives, I immediately recall one of the coolest experiences from my childhood. Mountain Medvednica is not only famous for the medieval fortress Medvedgrad and the highest peak Sljeme that holds the world skiing cup. At one point, there was a cable car that brought joy to citizens of Zagreb since 1963. In those days, that was the longest cable car in Europe. Shortest funicular, longest cable car, we really are a competitive nation! Unfortunately, this particular ride only remains in our memory since the cable car is not operational since 2007. Because of this, I am giving a big shout out to our local authorities to bring back the magic of one of the oldest Zagreb treasures, the cable car.
Image credit: Filip Donadic
There are a lot of means of transportation, but this one is so cool you do not have to drive it, and it is merely enough to observe it. I am talking about the largest railway modeling construction in Eastern Europe - Backo Mini Express. It features over 1050 meters of small rail, which are constantly traversed by no less than 80 train engines. So, if you ever get stuck in traffic in Gunduliceva street, pull over, exit your vehicle and observe the trains. All the frustration instantly goes away.
So my dear reader, once in a while remember the pioneers of transportation in our capital and appreciate their influence that is still existing. You can feel it every time you enter a public transportation or your vehicle. Press the clutch, change the gear and step on the throttle. But most of all, #LoveZagreb.
Header image credit: Filip Donadic
Author: Filip Donadic