History of Zagreb - Modern Zagreb

Modern Zagreb

Although much has been said and written on the subject of Old Zagreb and even on the development of the Donji Grad during the 19th century, research into building activities in Zagreb at the turn of the 19th to 20th century or even later has been inadequate and unsatisfactory.

The 20th century began with the Art Nouveau style, which during its short life from 1899 until the World War I was present in the central part of the Donji Grad.

The most notable achievements of Zagreb Art Nouveau were the building of the Ethnographical Museum (at 14, Mažuranić Square), the former sanatorium building (Children's Clinic) in Klaićeva Street and the most conspicuous among them, the building of the National and University Library on Marulić Square. The Modernist Movement which was led by the architect Viktor Kovačić, presented itself in the building of St. Blaž Church at the corner of Deželić Drive and Primorska Street on the eve of the World War I.

At the turn of the 19th to 20th century (1902), the city boundary was moved from Međašnji Square (today's Eugen Kvaternik Square) eastwards, and thus Stara Peščenica and Maksimir with their surroundings became part of the city area. Building activities were more intensive in the eastern part of the city -that is, in the wide-open spaces east of Palmotićeva Street. Zagrebacki Zbor, the forerunner of the Zagreb Fair, organised its shows and displays on the riding school premises in present day Martićeva Street, and the area of the Burza served as the fair grounds. The period between the two wars saw this area developing into a distinguished quarter of Zagreb. Here were the buildings of the former Stock Exchange in 1925-1926 (at 3 Burza Square), the most significant work of the architect Viktor Kovačić, the round-shaped Exhibition Pavilion created by Ivan Meštrović (today's Croatian History Museum) and the Đuro Salaj Hall. These were all built at approximately the same time as the three nearby squares: Burza, Great Croats and Peter Krešimir IV Squares, in accordance with the zoning plan of the east part of Zagreb.

In the 1930s, a new style and concept called functionalism appeared in architecture, and here the Zagreb School of Architecture promoted it. Building activities were flourishing in those years, as Zagreb was becoming an important industrial and business centre with approximately 280,000 inhabitants before the onset of the World War II. The suburban settlements were rather neglected, and most of them sprang up spontaneously along with the inflow of new population which was evident in Trešnjevka and Trnje.

The first railway line to connect Zagreb with Zidani most and Sisak was opened in 1862, and in 1863 Zagreb received a gasworks. The Zagreb waterworks was opened in 1878, and the first horse-drawn tramcar was used in 1891. The construction of the railway lines enabled the old suburbs to merge gradually into Donji Grad, which is characterized by a regular block pattern that are prevalent in Central European cities. This bustling core hosts many imposing buildings, monuments, and parks as well as a multitude of museums, theatres and cinemas. An electric power plant was erected in 1907, and development flourished 1880-1914 after the earthquake in Zagreb when the town received the characteristic layout it has today.

Working class quarters emerged between the railway and the Sava, whereas the construction of residential quarters on the hills of the southern slopes of Medvednica was completed between the two World Wars.

During the 1920s, the population of Zagreb increased by 70 percent. This was the largest demographic boom in the history of Zagreb. In 1926, Zagreb had its first radio station in the region. 1947 saw the first Zagreb Fair.

The area between the railway and the Sava saw much new construction after the Second World War. After the mid-1950s, construction of new residential areas south of the Sava river began, resulting in Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb). The city also expanded westward and eastward, incorporating Dubrava, Sesvete, Podsused, Jarun, and Blato among other settlements.

The cargo railway hub and the international airport Pleso were built south of the Sava river. The largest industrial zone (Žitnjak) in the southeast represents an extension of the industrial zones on the eastern outskirts of the city, between the Sava and Prigorje region.

In 1987 Zagreb hosted the Summer Universiade.

Urbanized lines of settlements connect Zagreb with the centres in its surroundings: Sesvete, Zaprešić, Samobor, Dugo Selo and Velika Gorica. Sesvete was the closest one to become a part of the agglomeration and is in fact already included in the City of Zagreb rather than Zagreb County, which excludes the city. It is now part of the expanding urban area on the east side seizing up to Dugo Selo.