The company of classical masters with their recorded immortal music was most enjoyable while driving out of Vienna and Austria.
Zagreb was the first major city we reached . It is the largest city of present-day Republic of Croatia, formerly what was part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
During World War II, German troops had invaded the region. They were welcomed by Croatian fascists and an Axis known as the Independent State of Croatia was set up. After the victory of the Allies, Croatia became a republic within Yugoslavia.
Socialist Yugoslavia was declared by Marshall Tito in 1945. He and his communist regime were able to deal with the regional aspirations by creating a federation of six nominally equal republics: Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia.
Communist rule helped restore stability and Tito’s good relations with the west ensured a steady stream of loans. However, the regional and ethnic tensions increased later on primarily due to unequal development and the growing burden of debt.
With Tito’s death in 1980 many predicted the federation to break up, but Yugoslavia republic survived for another ten years.
Croatia declared independence in 1991 and fought a bitter and costly war against the Serb-led Yugoslav People's Army. Zagreb became a political and administrative centre for the Republic of Croatia and was selected its capital.
Historically, the 17th century was an unstable time when the Ottoman Turks were making incursions. A great part of what is now Croatia fell to the Turks but Zagreb was never taken.
Zagreb lies on the intersection of important routes between the Adriatic coast and central Europe.
For centuries it has been a focal point of art, culture, and sports. It is also the hub of the academics and scientists in Croatia.
Many renowned scientists, artists and athletes come from the city or work there.
In spite of the rapid recent economic development and extended infrastructure, it has retained its charm of picturesque open-air markets and diverse shopping facilities, with a wide selection of crafts and cuisine.
Zagreb hosts many festivals and events throughout the year. The Festival of popular music, widely known as Zagrebfest since 1984, is the oldest cultural event of this kind in the region.
