Croatian State Archives, Zagreb

The Croatian State Archives, situated in Zagreb, the nation's capital, serve as Croatia's primary archival institution. Housed in a UNESCO-recognized Art Nouveau structure, this establishment stands as one of Zagreb's architectural gems, safeguarding Croatia's most significant documents. While the Archives' written collections may not captivate most English-speaking tourists, the building's architectural magnificence appeals universally. It boasts a richly decorated lobby and atrium, replete with elaborate mosaics, sophisticated ironwork, ornate leaded glass, and polished marble. These areas also host art exhibitions, enhancing their already splendid ambience. The building's exterior is complemented by a meticulously designed park, featuring a notable sculpture by Ivan Mestrovic.

The origins of the Croatian State Archives date back to a 1643 directive from the Croatian Sabor (Parliament), instructing the Kingdom's treasurer, Ivan Zakmardi, to compile a comprehensive list of all legal documents and charters. This led to the creation of a special chest, funded by the Kingdom, intended to store these vital documents. However, the chest was largely symbolic, with limited capacity, and was initially placed at the Bishopric of Zagreb. Over time, numerous laws and regulations were enacted to manage document archiving.

In 1744, Ladislaus Kiraly was appointed as the Kingdom's first official archivist. The chest, along with other documents, was relocated in 1763 to Saint Mark's square, marking a significant step in the evolution of the Croatian archival system.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zagreb. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Croatian State Archives
Sight Location: Zagreb, Croatia (See walking tours in Zagreb)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Lower Town Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Zagreb, Croatia

Create Your Own Walk in Zagreb

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zagreb is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Lower Town Walking Tour

The Lower Town of Zagreb, also known as Donji Grad, is one of the two main districts in the historic heart of the Croatian capital, alongside the Upper Town (Gornji Grad). It is the more modern of the two and was built during the period of urban expansion, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Lower Town showcases a captivating tapestry of architectural splendor dominated by... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Upper Town Walking Tour

Andautonia was a Roman settlement near the location of today's Zagreb. Historical record attests to the name "Zagreb" in 1134, referring to the founding of the diocese of "Kaptol" by sainted King Ladislaus in 1094. Kaptol is the "Upper Town" of Zagreb. The "Lower Town" is "Gradec."

Upper Town centered around Zagreb Cathedral consecrated in... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

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