Zagreb's Fifth Avenue and Oxford Street

If you ask Zagreb citizens which the longest street in Zagreb is, I'm sure all of them will give you the same answer - Ilica Street. However, this is not true. Despite the fact that Ilica is being considered the main street in Zagreb, with its length it ranks at the fourth place, behind Radnička Street and Zagreb Avenue. So, you probably wonder which one is the longest one. Well, the Slavonian Avenue with its 18 kilometres is for sure the Queen of length.

The Queen of length

There isn't a person who didn't get stuck in traffic while driving on Slavonska Avenue. In fact, most of the citizens of Zagreb use this road while driving to work. I often passed this route while I was going to dance rehearsal in New Zagreb. My favourite moment was returning late at night and observing how Zagreb was getting ready to go to sleep. 

Image credit: Slavonska Avenue, Facebook page

The main road in Zagreb, Slavonska Avenue, is the most important road today, a road which connects the western and the eastern part of Zagreb. In 2007, the avenue was said to be the most accident-prone road in Zagreb. Also, Slavonska Avenue does not have any tram lines although most lines in Zagreb pass over or under the avenue.

An interesting situation occurred recently on one of the busiest crossroads on Slavonska Avenue. In fact, a month ago, an 8-metre pothole formed on Slavonian Avenue. It took 10 days to fix that part of the avenue. And that period during which the avenue was closed proved how much this road is important to Zagreb citizens.

Also, most of the local people use Slavonska Avenue to get to Radnička Street which is with its 6,052 metres the third longest street in Zagreb. Unlike Slavonska Avenue which is only a road people take to get to work, Radnička Street is more lively and interesting. On these 6,502 metres, industrial and commercial zones are located as well as a number of clubs, some of the best restaurants, gyms and of course shops. Long story short, everything you want, you will find on Radnička street.

Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak

The Queen of life and events

But, the queen of life and events is the street from the beginning of this story. Of course, it is Ilica Street. I'm sure that there isn't a person who hasn't walked this street while sightseeing Zagreb. Also, I'm sure that there isn't a person who isn't familiar with all the content that Ilica offers. But, I'm sure that only few people are familiar with its rich history. So, I decided to write something about the old days of the most Zagrebian street. :)

Do you know how Ilica got its name?

The earliest information on how Ilica got its name is written in a document which dates back to 1431. Thus, this year can be regarded as the birth year of Ilica Street. But, the main reason why Ilica has this name has not been established with certainty.

There are several theories, but the most likely one is that this street was named after the creek located in today's Rokov park. Another theory mentioned that the name derives from the word 'clay'. In the past, there was a village on this street whose inhabitants were engaged in the production of pottery. By 1766, Ilica stretched to the Ilica market, today's British Square and it got its current appearance in the late 18th century when the construction of houses began. Later on, Ilica was divided into Upper Ilica, Ilica Square, and Lower Ilica further to the west.

Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak

Ilica is like Fifth Avenue or Oxford Street :)

No street in Zagreb had so many theatres, cabarets, cafés, hotels, bookstores, art galleries, and even art schools. There were even two hospitals on Ilica Street, and in past times, it was widely known for the hotels. I'm sure only a few people know that today's Nama Store was the most elegant hotel in Zagreb with a significant name - Austrian Emperor. Still, the oldest hotel in this street is Jager Horn, a favourite place for many tourists who choose Zagreb as their city break destination.

Even today Zagreb citizens prefer to walk through Ilica. There probably isn't a person who didn't walk this street, especially in the area from Ban Jelačić Square to British Square.

This is the street where you can find what your heart desires. In Ilica, I found the best of Zagreb, and I believe that you will too! :) <3

Header image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak

Author: Nikolina Jozanović