Oktogon, 19th-century passage in Lower Town, Zagreb, Croatia
Oktogon is a covered passage in central Zagreb featuring a distinctive octagonal atrium at its core. A glass dome roof bathes the interior in natural light, creating a connection through interconnected corridors lined with shops and offices.
This structure was built at the end of the 19th century as part of a project to modernize Zagreb's downtown area. Architect Josip Vancaš designed it between 1898 and 1900, incorporating it into a banking institution's headquarters.
The passage served as a gathering point where shopkeepers and residents moved through daily life, connecting different parts of the city. This pedestrian function remains central to how locals and visitors experience the space today.
The passage is open to visitors during daytime hours and sits in a central location near multiple tram stops and main streets. The covered interior makes it a practical shortcut through downtown Zagreb regardless of weather conditions.
A small memorial plaque once honored Pluto, a stray dog who kept workers company during the building's construction. Though removed in 2013, locals still remember this unusual tribute to an animal that became part of the site's past.
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