Maksimir Park, Forest park in Zagreb, Croatia
Maksimir Park is a forest park in Zagreb covering 316 hectares with five lakes, ancient oak forests, meadows, and streams flowing through it. The grounds create a natural habitat for over 100 bird species while blending forest landscape with human-designed features.
Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac founded the park in 1794, making it the first public park in southeastern Europe. This creation marked an early turning point in European park design and set a standard that other cities later followed.
The park shapes Zagreb's character through structures like the Echo Pavilion, Swiss House, and Bishop Haulik's Villa that reflect the city's heritage. These buildings are scattered throughout the grounds and form a historical ensemble that visitors discover while walking.
The park is reachable by tram lines 4, 7, 11, and 12 stopping at Bukovačka station, which connects directly to the entrance. A large parking area near Dinamo stadium accommodates visitors arriving by car.
The park combines a natural forest ecosystem with artificially constructed lakes created in the 18th century, while preserving the original garden design to this day. This blend of nature and human design makes it a rare example of classical park making.
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