New Zagreb, why I love you so much?

One of the most recognizable characters of New Zagreb is the Sava's green bridge that is known as Hendrix bridge. It is not hard to guess that the bridge was named for its graffiti with the surname of the famous rock - musician Jimy Hendrix. In addition to having a cult status and becoming one of the symbols of the urban pop - culture of Zagreb, this bridge also leads to the one of the most attractive Zagreb's neighborhoods.

Credit image: Zvonimir Mikašek, Atletski klub Sljeme 

Neighborhood needs only a mayor

Of course, it's about the aforementioned New Zagreb. A neighborhood which literally has everything so it could be a city in its own right - the Bundek Lake, a riding school at the Hippodrome, pools Utrina, Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb Fair, two large shopping centers Avenue Mall and Arena Center, the largest sports hall Arena, which in 2008 hosted the World Handball Championship, student dormitory with canteen, headquarters of the most popular radio stations, the most widely read daily newspapers and the most popular television station in Croatia. There is also a Cultural Center in Travno which features a workshop for renting traditional costumes and the largest collection of folk costumes with approximately 28,000 objects, one of the most beautiful churches, and convincing trademark of New Zagreb - Mamutica building. But I'm sure you will agree with me when I say New Zagreb has maybe 'too much' for one neighborhood. :)

Considering that all these enumerated facilities will not fit into this article, my dear readers, I will single out some of them which particularly impressed me during the last two years of continuous residence in that part of the city. During my study, I worked as a journalist for the aforementioned media company. I spent most of the days writing articles, and the evenings were reserved for relaxing with folk dances at the Cultural Center Travno. It could be said that I was coming and leaving New Zagreb with its mornings.

Credit image: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak

Red Hot Chili Peppers in New Zagreb

Every day, I would cross over the Hendrix bridge with the famous bus line 236 leaving behind the Sava River. Although I traveled to work quite early in the morning, the Sava embankment would be teamed with numerous recreationists that went for their first run. But only a few hundred meters away, beautiful horses at the famous Hippodrome had their first training, as well. The Hippodrome can boast about being a host of one of the biggest concerts in Zagreb in 2012 when Red Hot Chili Peppers put on a concert to remember forever.

New Zagreb, where the construction of housing projects started in 1957, is so rich in facilities that every few meters there is something new that attracts your attention. So after the Hippodrome, you are not sure where you should be looking at. If you look at the famous shopping center Avenue Mall, you will be able to see youngsters laughing, joking and running to the cinema or if you look at the opposite side, you will see one of many modern wonders in Zagreb, the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Also, New Zagreb is adorned with one of the most beautiful Zagreb Churches - Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is for its size often the first and the only choice for concerts, occasional meetings, and weddings.

Credit image: Danijel Brkljač, Mamutica, Facebook page

The largest building in Zagreb, Croatia, and Europe

But the famous building 'Mamutica', the place where I had my folk dance classes, is something that impresses me more and more every time I go there. For those who do not know, 'Mamutica' is the largest building by volume in Zagreb and in Croatia, and it is also among the largest residential buildings in Europe. Mamutica is around 240 meters long, 60 meters high and it has 19 floors. In this building, about 5,000 people live in 1,169 apartments. Though at first glance it might seem awkward and uncomfortable, the building is quite comfortable and clean inside.

This part of Zagreb has definitely all of the educational, artistic, recreational, sports, cultural and entertainment facilities. New Zagreb has everything a small town should have, except the mayor. But, who knows. Considering how much it has developed, maybe one day there will be an election for mayor. :)

Header image credit: Župa Uzvišenja Svetog Križa

Author: Nikolina Jozanović