LikeCroatia

By: yelena

Hot beach parties not your game? Don’t worry. The Croatian capital has plenty to offer in nerdihood. Check out some of these locations where you can get your geek on.

Zagreb’s Technical Museum

Become a test subject in the laboratory of Nikola Tesla, learn about stars in the modern planetarium, sit in an authentic World War 2 submarine. And if you need to cool down from all the excitement, take a walk in the underground coal mine replica.

Medvedgrad

Medvedgrad (“Bear Town”) is an old fort above Zagreb built in the 13^th century as a defence against the invading Tatar pillagers. It is a place where the legendary Black Queen once ruled with an iron fist, waiting for a courageous man to break her oath to the devil. A must-see for every Elder Scrolls fan.

Tolkien’s House

A place where everyone is from Middle-earth, Tolkien’s House offers a fine selection of European beers as well as custom-made coffee drinks. You need not fear orcs here, as they are forbidden from entering the terrace (which, by the way, looks out onto the gates of a local Franciscan monastery).

Jules Verne’s Cafe

If you prefer steampunk to fantasy, you should take a break at the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Cafe. The interior is reminiscent of the famous “Nautilus” submarine, as described by well-known author Jules Verne. For the full experience, visit during night hours, as the lighting adds significantly to the submarine atmosphere.

Orient Express Cafe

The world’s most well-known train route, connecting Paris and Istanbul, can be accessed in Zagreb’s Teslina street. Well, not exactly, but that’s not reason not to visit this café, designed as a wagon restaurant of the famous train. The only difference is that your coffee is safe from curves and brakes.

Gric Cannon

Every day, precisely at twelve o’clock noon, a large bang is heard over Zagreb’s rooftops. It’s the sound of an authentic military canon, deployed in the old part of town known as Gric. This strange tradition dates to the 19^th Century and celebrates the retreat of Turkish besiegers.  Don’t worry – the shot is a blank and perfectly safe, although it doesn’t look that way if you are nearby at the magnificent Tower of Lotrscak at the end of The Strossmayer Promenade.

The antique fair of Zagreb

Want to buy a rare post stamp for your collection? Or have a new coin for your numismatics treasure chest? Interested in old swords, or antique furniture? Or just want to buy a dozen LPs on top of that retro game console? Enter Zagreb’s antique fair- where garage sale and fine art meet on outdoor shelves. Occurring every weekend at the beautiful British Square (Britanski trg),the antique fair is a place where every geek will find something to take home.

Written by: Sinisa Bahun