Maksimir Park in Zagreb

Maksimir Park in Zagreb is a place where we can start a story about Zagreb parks. Or we can finish it because the Maksimir park is surely the largest and most beautiful park in Zagreb, a park called the "green lung of the city". If you like nature and you have booked a vacation rental in Zagreb, meet the green soul of the city, following the shady Maksimir`s paths. Maksimir is a cultural heritage and a protected monument of park architecture since 1964. It was built at the end of the 18th century by interventions in an autochthonous forest as the first public park in this part of Europe. It was founded by Bishop Maksimilijan pl. Vrhovec, when he decided to give the old bishop's forest to the citizens of Zagreb for recreation and relaxation in 1787. The park was named Maksimilijan's Peace, and later it was abbreviated as Maksimir. The park is shaped like an English-style garden, and, with the exception of integral protection, there are protected cultural buildings in the park area. The most famous is the viewpoint that was erected between 1841 and 1843, from which the paths are spreading towards other parts of the park. Only the echo pavilion, which was renovated in 2001, has been preserved of all pavilions, and its specialty is a sound attraction dedicated to the goddess Eho. The oldest preserved object is Svilana, a large commercial building with the unknown exact date of construction, but it is certain that it existed before 1853. Maksimir is an area of the southern slopes of Medvednica, where many other plant species have been planted in autochthonous vegetation. However, the most significant parts of the Maksimir landscape are its lakes, the lakes that are responsible for the fact that the park is today the habitat of many bird species. There are 5 lakes in Maksimir today, all artificial and supplied with water from the Bliznec stream. Up to now, 104 species of birds have been spotted in Maksimir, of which 70 regular or occasional nesting. The population density of the endangered spotted woodpecker is one of the largest in the world at Maksimir. We will often encounter squirrels, lizards, and other smaller forest animals here who have found their hideout in the arms of the preserved forest belt and the landscaped part of the park. The refreshment in the summer months is almost tangible in Maksimir, and the perky smells of lush vegetation extend to the surrounding neighborhoods. Maksimir also offers several coffee shops and dinning facilities, a visit to the zoo at the southern edge of the park, open-air cultural and sports events, children's parks, recreation, but above all relaxation and peace. From the strict center of the city, Maksimir is only 7 kilometers at east, inviting us to enjoy its soft lawns, shady fencers and the warm shores of its lakes. Enjoy!