Spooky Legends of Zagreb

Zagreb's history is full of horror stories and legends that were retold from generation to generation and were spread by word of mouth. Many of them were written by one of the most famous writers in Zagreb - Marija Jurić Zagorka. She wrote them down so legends could live forever on the pages of her books and so that they may never be forgotten. Some of them are related to the city centre and others to the surrounding area, especially the slopes of Medvednica and Samobor Hills.

 Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak 

Legends about the Stone Gates

There are two legends relating to the Stone Gates (Kamenita vrata). According to the first legend, the gates should have been torn down many times but anyone who has tried to do so died in some inexplicable way. Today, this is the only preserved gate of the former city ramparts and serves as a place where believers pray and light candles. Gates did not accidentally become a place where people come to pray. It is related to the following legend. In 1731, Zagreb was destroyed in a huge fire which burnt down almost everything except the image of the Mother of God which was owned by the Modlar widow. From then on, the gate is a Shrine of Our Lady of the Stone Gate which became the protector of the city.

A wall made of gravestones

According to the story, a small wall that surrounds a coffee shop Palainovka is partly made from old tombstones from cemeteries that were located around the old town. Close to Palainovka is the smallest city square with a dark neo-gothic chapel, and according to the legend, when you leave this place you should never look back because of the witches that wander around and hide from people. If they caught your eye, they can turn you into a pillar of salt.

The story of Hajdi giants

The legend says that once upon a time, in the time of fairies and wizards, there were giants on the Samobor hills, as well. They called themselves Hajdi and they were so big that ordinary people couldn't reach them and so strong that they could pluck a tree and use it as a bat. Little by little, people somehow expelled them, but traces of their existence are still visible in extremely large bones that are found in the old cemetery on a hill.

 Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Mario Vrdoljak 

The legend of the Black Queen

The Black Queen, whose real name was Barbara Celjska, was a part of a very powerful family but entered the Croatian legend as the Black Queen who lived at the Medvedgrad and was remembered that way. She died in 1451 of the plague and it is known that at the end of her life, she dealt with alchemy and occultism. Among her contemporaries, she was known as an enchantingly beautiful woman but extremely cold and wicked hearted. There are few horror stories that developed around her character. Supposedly, she had many lovers that she threw over the ramparts of the tower when she got fed up with them. Also, there was a black raven on her shoulder all the time, which she would send to attack the eyes of all who resented her.

Jurjevsko cemetery

Let's end with an old cemetery in the city centre. It has no special legend, but it is truly a spooky place. Generally, a large part of the upper city, including St Mark's Church, was built over the tombs. So keep in mind that, while sightseeing Zagreb's centre, you are probably walking above human remains. This cemetery is the part that remained visible and above the surface. Although at one point in the history the remains were relocated to Mirogoj cemetery, no one is sure if all of the remains were relocated. Over the time, the tombstones got overgrown with plants but they are still visible. If you dare, go there at night - a serene silence and graves will at least give you goosebumps.

Header image credit: Pixybay

Author: Anđela Ivčević