February 10, 2021 - Museum of Illusions has become the largest chain of private museums in the world! 

HRTurizam writes that today is another historic day for Croatian tourism and Croatia in general.

Namely, the Museum of Illusions opened its 30th franchise, this time in New Delhi, and thus became the largest chain of private museums in the world.

Europe is still closed, while the American and global markets are slowly opening up and becoming more active, points out Roko Živković of the Museum of Illusions.

“The partners we work with throughout the project have continued to build new museums. Europe is all closed, and this is where the expansion of the franchise cares most about the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, the American market is very active, and soon, through the franchise model, the Museum of Illusions will open in Miami, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Washington, as well as in Cairo and in the capital of Saudi Arabia - Riyadh," says Zivkovic, and concludes how happy they are that in this crisis, the franchise is expanding and developing all over the world, especially because people from Croatia are working on the project.

Interestingly, Roko Živković and his business partner Tomislav Pamuković got the idea for the Museum of Illusions by watching the popular BrainGames series on National Geographic. Six years after the first museum in Zagreb in 2015, today, the Museum of Illusions has become the world's largest chain of private museums.

"Museum of Illusions offers interactive, immersive, and fun experiences for children, parents, couples, grandmothers, and grandfathers – a perfect, unusual, and exciting place for all generations. Amusing and awesome tricks will teach you about vision, perception, the human brain, and science, so it will be easier to perceive why your eyes see things which your brain cannot understand," reads the Museum of Illusions website.

It is important to emphasize that this is a Croatian tourist export product, which includes a Croatian team, and all exhibits are more or less produced in Croatia.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February the 10th, 2021 - The manager of the popular Zagreb City Centre One shopping outlet, which (in pre-pandemic times) drew in many bargain hunters on a daily basis, has now made a bold business move and taken over yet another Croatian shopping centre.

As Ana Blaskovic/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, CC Real, the manager of the Zagreb City Centre One shopping centre, is set to take over the management of the Max City shopping centre in the beautiful Istrian city of Pula, which is under that company's umbrella. The company specialising in property management is taking over the strategic and operational management, accounting and mediation in renting the largest shopping centre in Istria with the "intention to improve all processes in everyday work".

Pula's Max City otherwise covers more than 27,000 square metres of retail space and 800 covered parking spaces. Opened back in November 2018, it employs several hundred people, among about 60 of the brands present among the shopping centre's tenants are names like H&M, Mango, Stradivarius, Bershka and Pull & Bear, Reserved, Mohito and Sinsay, Elipso, L’Occitane and the CineStar multiplex. Along with them are, among others, gastronomic offers of various kinds, cafes, a children's playroom, and even a charging station for electric cars.

"We believe that our motivated team of professionals, with their general and industry knowledge, as well as their vast local and international experience will contribute to the growth of Max City in cooperation with the tenants, partners and suppliers," said CC Real director Davorin Profeta.

CC Real has otherwise been operating since back in 2006, and through three City Centre One shopping centres, including the one in the capital, it has invested more than 435 million euros in Croatia in total. Despite two changes of ownership of the Zagreb City Centre One East and West, CC Real continued to manage them well. Back at the end of 2012, the business was expanded to Austria, then to Hungary and even further afield to Finland.

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February 10, 2021 – 10 of the most outstanding examples of contemporary Croatian architecture have been selected by the Association of Croatian Architects to compete in the extremely prestigious Mies van der Rohe Awards. Held only once every two years, they are the European equivalent of the Pritzker Prize for Architecture.

The Mies van der Rohe Awards are a really big deal. The greatest works of European architecture compete for recognition in the competition. The greatest success of Croatian architecture in the awards was attained by UP studios' Toma Plejić and Lea Pelivan, who received a special award for upcoming architects and had their high school in Koprivnica named the best building in that category in 2009. The success has had a considerable impact on their careers since.

Being held only once every two years, Croatian architecture projects completed since the closure of entries for the 2019 awards are eligible to be submitted. Here are the outstanding examples of contemporary Croatian architecture that will represent the country in 2022.

Cinema Urania Zagreb

An old neighbourhood cinema built into the back streets near Kvatric. In their redesign, 3LHD preserved the best features from this early example of concrete engineering in Croatian architecture. They added a glass pavilion at the entrance, atriums and skylights, flooding the former darkness with the natural light needed for its new purpose as an event and work space.

© Jure Živković

Grand Park Hotel, Rovinj

Sprawling widely across six stepped levels, the new luxury Grand Park Hotel and spa could easily have looked a long swipe of concrete. But, by places greenery on each of its staged roofs, architects 3LHD have ensured that no matter where you are in the 500-guest-capacity building, your view places you within a garden, looking out onto Rovinj Old Town and the expanse of the Adriatic. Croatian architecture at its most breathtaking.

© Alukoenigstahl hr
Ivanja Reka Elementary School, south Sesvete, east Zagreb

If every elementary school looked as pretty and was as well equipped as Ivanja Reka Elementary School in the south of Sesvete, eastern Zagreb, you could well believe daily attendance would never drop below 100%. Designed by a team of architectural authors (SUBMAP studios Marija Burmas and Ivo-Lola Petrić, and Jakša Kalajžić from JKA Arhitekti), the multi-level main building sits centrally, surrounded by sports, recreation and other facilities creating an impressive view for both those outside and within.

© Ivanja Reka Elementary School / Domagoj Blažević

Roxanich Wine & Heritage Hotel, Motovun, Istria

The view is unmistakably Istria. Vineyards carpet the land below and - rising above - the picturesque hilltop town of Motovun. Helmed architecturally by consistently bold Rijeka designer Idis Turato, this multi-level, multi-purpose redesign retains the traditional feel of its existing stone building and its purpose – there's a huge wine cellar beneath – but has opened up the space to give stunning views, not least over a sun deck that spectacularly reflects the sunrise and sunset. This is an active winery, with works and equipment all housed within its lower floors, not that you could tell from the 25 person capacity boutique hotel, restaurant and wine shop upstairs.

© Roxanich.hr

Four Houses for Four Brothers, Diklo, Zadar

Judging from a theme of project titles used by architects Iva Letilović and Igor Pedišić, we're not sure that Four Houses for Four Brothers was actually commissioned by four brothers or that four live there. But, you could well believe they could. The ultra-modern set of independent houses, located next to a beautiful stretch of coast in a north Zadar neighbourhood, was specifically designed to address a distinctly Croatian reality – how to open up some of your dwelling to seasonal guests while you remain at home. The design separates the buildings clearly into separate quarters which allow privacy, comfort and minimal encroachment for both visitors and residents.

© Igor Pedišić

Galić Winery, Kutjevo

Award-winning outfit Zagreb-based studio Dva arhitekta have an existing, jaw-dropping design for a rural winery commissioned by famous makers Galic. However, that project, as yet, remains unrealised. But, their winery for Galic in the centre of Kutjevo town is complete. Melding the traditional and the contemporary, the upper section of the building is a bold and unblemished red brick, adorned with the winemaker's unmistakable logo. Beneath, concrete arches invite your eyes into the actual wine cellar – neat rows of barrels, protected behind glass walls that are set back from the facade. Brilliant!

© Damir Fabijanić

Seecel Centre, Zagreb

Designed as a regional centre for the development of entrepreneurs and its construction costs generously part-funded by European money, the Seecel Centre arrived long overdue and does not house its intended inhabitants. Such matters are best left for different articles as, here, we're concerned with the undeniable finery of this building's architecture and appearance. Holding space for accommodation, offices, communal collaboration, education and presentations, the five-floored building uses ultra-modern building materials and construction methods to make it low-energy, its great blocks of covered concrete, with glass windows set further back, echoing old fortifications. It was designed by Igor Franić who, in Croatia, is perhaps best known for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb and completed by him and his team at SZA / Studio za arhitekturu d.o.o.

© Site Project d.o.o.

Trg Poljana, Šibenik

Not a small amount was asked of project architects Atelier Minerva from Dubrovnik in the task to create Trg Poljana in Šibenik. The site had long been earmarked for a much-needed, official town square – a place for events and public gatherings. But, the town was also woefully short on parking. By burying a multi-level car park beneath the open space, the architects successfully met both demands. Triangular shapes sit at an angle above shaded seating, echoing the inclines on the roof of the Juraj Šižgorić City Library opposite. Clever.

© Ervin Husedžinović / Eccos-inzenjering

Homestead on Hartovski vrh, Žumberak, Zagreb County

A collection of multi-purpose rural buildings, Homestead and Meditation Centre on Hartovski vrh was commissioned and designed for use by the Buddhist Center Zagreb. Their aim was to relocate activities such as chan, yoga, meditation, healthy living and teaching to a peaceful retreat outside of the city. Architects Branimir Rajčić and Mariela Žinić began the project in 2015, with the completed site arriving in 2019. Modern building materials are used, but not so the striking collection seems out of place within a partially agricultural setting. The set of buildings includes a residential dwelling and a larger hall for meetings and activities, both of which use large windows to allow the light and nature to flood in.

© Robert Leš

Square of Traditional Crafts, Varaždin

A tricky task was given to architects Studio Konntra – how to enliven and modernise a traditional old square in the centre of one of Europe's best-preserved Baroque Old Towns. They did this by constructing transportable kiosks to house small outlets for local artists and craftsmen that cater to visiting tourists who come to the square. When occupied during the day, the plain wooden interiors allows the crafts to take centre stage. But, after closing time, the outsides of the wooden doors are brightly coloured and adorned with paintings, a welcoming environment for residents to use at night.

© Studio Konntra

February 10, 2021 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as British Airways cancels Zagreb flights until the end of March.

Croatian Aviation reports that the British national airline has withdrawn all flights on the London - Zagreb - London route until the end of March 2021.

Namely, British Airways withdrew all departures on the London Heathrow - Zagreb - London Heathrow route until the end of March.

In September, British Airways suspended traffic on this route and operated on it for a short time during the holidays (around November 1 and around Christmas). After a new strain of the virus was found in the UK, countries banned flights from the UK (including Croatia), so British Airways was forced to cancel flights to Zagreb.

The airline then released tickets for sale on the direct line between London and Zagreb, but, as usual, the flights never took off, and they will likely remain so.

Thus, British Airways has canceled all planned flights to and from Zagreb until the end of March, i.e., until the end of the winter flight schedule, which ends on Saturday, March 27, 2020.

On Sunday, March 28, British Airways will offer 11 weekly flights between the two mentioned capitals, though even this is questionable. It is to be expected that this airline will continue to cancel flights, which is not surprising given that there are strong restrictive measures that directly affect demand itself. 

The only direct option to travel by plane on this route is by Croatia Airlines, which operates between London and Zagreb only once a week, on Mondays. Still, the prices offered by the Croatian national carrier are quite steep. 

To give you an idea, a one-way ticket from Zagreb to London on February 22 costs around 2,316 kuna, and in the opposite direction even more.

Namely, a return ticket on this route with Croatia Airlines for travel between February 22 and March 3 costs almost 3,250 kuna or 430 euro!

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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February 9, 2021 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Lufthansa plans Zagreb routes from Frankfurt and Munich in March.

Croatian Aviation reports that Lufthansa plans to resume traffic on two routes from Germany to Zagreb Airport.

Namely, Lufthansa intends to resume traffic to Zagreb Airport from March 1. Recall that Lufthansa suspended traffic on the Frankfurt - Zagreb - Frankfurt route during the global pandemic and has not operated on it since March 2020.

However, as of March 1, the airline plans to resume traffic on that line. The second Lufthansa line, between Munich and Zagreb, was also suspended in October 2020, and there has been no direct connection between the two cities since.

The airline intends to resume traffic on the routes from Frankfurt and Munich from March 1, 2021, with the caveat that the cancellation of certain flights may occur due to low demand caused by strict epidemiological measures.

The Frankfurt - Zagreb - Frankfurt route will operate daily until the end of March (with an early afternoon departure from Zagreb), and smaller-capacity aircraft. The Canadair Regional Jet 900 has been announced on the route, with a capacity of 90 seats.

Traffic on the Munich - Zagreb - Munich line is also being re-established. This route should also operate daily until the end of March, with the same type of aircraft as on the route from/to Frankfurt, and an increase in the number of weekly flights on both routes is expected from the beginning of the summer flight schedule (end of March).

Lufthansa is a carrier that has flown to Zagreb Airport for more than 50 years, and given that 2020 was the worst year in aviation history, it was not too much of a surprise that the airline temporarily withdrew routes to Zagreb Airport.

Lufthansa will certainly have a good result on the routes to Zagreb in the spring and summer, while in March, there may still be cancellations due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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February 9, 2021 - A delightful journey into the past with a wonderful tour of the Croatian capital as it once was - meet Zagreb in 1930.

One of the most engaging tours I have been on in recent years was a historic tour and quest of the upper town of Zagreb by Iva Silla of Secret Zagreb. From the moment we met, she was in character as the Black Queen, who wakes up from her slumber once every 100 years.

She took us up the funicular to the upper town, wondering how things had changed, as there used to be three classes of carriage in the short ride. We would really enjoy the view from the top, she assured us - the cornfields in the distance were very beautiful, just past the city limits of the Croatian National Theatre. 

The Black Queen was horrified by what she saw and how Zagreb had changed while she had been asleep. The kids were hooked - a truly brilliant and engaging tour guide and an excellent tour, about which you can read more in Secret Zagreb, a Masterclass in Innovative Tours, Engaging Guiding.

The tour prompted me to look out for old footage of the capital as it used to be, and I came across this rather excellent video snapshot of Zagreb in 1930, when the city looked stylish indeed. It is also the first time in my life that I have seen the Zagreb cathedral not under construction as well... 

Continuing our look at how Croatia looked in the past, here is Zagreb in 1930. If you have any video links to different parts of Croatia (outside the main hot spots perferred), along with a brief explanation about the year and the content, then please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Old Videos. 

For more on the latest of life in Zagreb today, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

February 8, 2021 - As the final touches are being applied to the online application process, HRT features the digital nomad opportunity. 

Although the official website and online application process has still not been launched (although I understand it should be next month), there are several people who are a little too impatient to wait to take advantage of the digital nomad opportunity being offered in Croatia with the introduction of the new 12-month digital nomad visa. 

That the system works (and the paperwork required) has been proven by the first foreigner to be granted the 12-month stay. You can read how American Melissa Paul did it, and what she submitted as part of her application in our TCN interview - Meet Melissa Paul, Owner of Croatia's First Digital Nomad Visa.

There has so far been applications from the UK, USA, Mexico and South Korea, with the majority of applications in the Central Dalmatia area, which is already establishing itself as an emerging hub for nomads in and around Split. Some American friends of mine visited the local police station last week to find out if they could apply for the visa. They are loving live here, are fully integrated into the community, work in IT, and are very keen to continue their stay and contribute their dollars to the Croatian economy. The police told them that they can apply and gave them a list of documents to submit, which will happen this week. Once approved, we will do a feature story on the process to bring a bit more clarity for those wanting more information on this option. 

The digital nomad opportunity is starting to get a little more traction in the Croatian media, and it was the subject of a news feature on HRT this weekend (mostly in English, with Croatian subtitles). The report features the initiator of the visa, Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong from Split, whose open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on July 11 started the process. You can watch the report above, which was originally filmed in November. 

For more about digital nomad life in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

February 8, 2021 - Traditions are very important in Croatia; some delightful footage of village life in Zagreb County in 1930 celebrating the feast day of the local patron saint. 

When it comes to upholding traditions, I have never come across anywhere as diverse as Croatia. 

It took me a while to realise, but seemingly every village has its own traditions, its own patron saint, and even many have their own traditional costume. 

The celebration of the patron saint of the village is an eagerly-anticipated affair, and I always found it heartwarming to see these celebrations taking place in each and every village on the island of Hvar when I lived there - many of them in winter. 

Upon deeper investigation, I was surprised too by the sheer variety of traditional costumes all over the country, each helping to define and give personality to the community.  

As Croatia looks to reorient its tourism after the pandemic, these authentic experiences are jewels to build on, an area of Croatian tourism which should be developed and promoted a lot more in my opinion. 

And a lot of these traditions have changed little over the centuries, including the music and song that accompanies them. Check out this delightful footage of Zagreb County almost a century ago, where the villagers are celebrating the local patron saint on May 17. 

The authentic nature of village life in places like Zagreb county still exists today, and these local celebrations are wonderful windows into the traditional way of life here.

It is authentic village life which is very accessible on a day trip from Zagreb, made even more so by the new platform, Around Zagreb, which was launched last year by the city and county tourist boards. And if you are looking to catch one of these villages on its special day, the tourist board should be able to help with some options. 

For more on travel in Croatia, follow the TCN Travel section. 

February 7, 2021 - Hundreds gathered at a Jarun party on Saturday night in Zagreb, though the police have reported no violations of epidemiological measures.

Index.hr reports that a new video showing hundreds of young people gathered in Zagreb, this time near Jarun, has circulated on social networks and in the media since Saturday night. The Zagreb Police have announced that the police officers did not find any violations or violations of epidemiological measures.

The video, published on Sunday morning in a Facebook group for students living in the Stjepan Radić Student Dormitory, shows young people hanging out, singing, and dancing to music, with a torch in the background.

The recording has since been deleted.

Hina learned from the Zagreb Police that they received two reports on Saturday night of people gathering in Jarun around the lake, the first time just after 10 pm and the second time around 3 am. There were no more reports after that.

"Police officers did not identify any violations, criminal offenses, or violations of epidemiological measures, i.e., the on-site inspection established that all those gathered adhered to the prescribed measures," the Zagreb Police said. Unfortunately, they left a trail of waste. 

Although some media reported that there were several hundred young people, the police say that those gathered were not in larger groups.

"As soon as it is determined that there are no violations of epidemiological measures, it means that the number is not higher than allowed," they explained.

After 8 pm and shortly after midnight, the Zagreb Polic also had reports of a gathering at the Croatian National Theater. Still, an on-site inspection also established that everyone adhered to the prescribed measures. You can see photos of the Jarun party and the gathering at the Croatian National Theater at Jutarnji List HERE.

Earlier, on Friday night, several young people gathered at the Stjepan Radić Student Dormitory. During this procedure, the police confirmed that they verbally called on everyone present to respect epidemiological measures and that they should disperse, which they did. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February 6, 2021 - The Croatia and USA water polo teams are currently in Zagreb as the 'Barracudas' prepare for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Rotterdam from February 14 to 21, 2021. 

HVS reports that the USA joined Croatia in Zagreb for their Olympic qualifying preparations before the team heads to Rotterdam next week. The USA national team led by Serbian expert Dejan Udovicic will play five training matches with Croatia, while two of them will be official matches. In other words, matches with referees, a scoreboard, and timekeeping.

"We couldn't have wished for a better sparring partner at this moment and for what awaits us. They are a phenomenally physically fit team, exceptional swimmers. They have a rough style of play that is on the verge of exclusion or personal fouls, and that is how I expect Russia and Germany to play against us in Rotterdam in the group. Both France and the Netherlands will probably try because they are technically inferior to us, but they can match our strength, wrestling, and swimming. Thus, the USA will be of great help to us before the tournament in Rotterdam," said Croatia coach Ivica Tucak before the first match on Saturday evening at 7 pm.

For the past few months, the USA first worked together with Greece in Athens, then won the tournament in Podgorica, defeating Montenegro and the B team of Serbia, and before arriving in Zagreb, trained with Serbia in Belgrade. After Zagreb, they plan to train with Italy in Recco. What is special about the current USA national team is that atypical for pre-Olympic years, many of their national team players are playing in Europe. Most of them, as many as 13 of them, are in Greece, and one member of Team USA is also in Croatia - Alex Obert at Jug Adriatic Osiguranje. The reason is quite clear, in the USA, there are mostly universities, while sports complexes and swimming pools are closed. Since there are no competitions, it is only logical that their national team members enjoy what Europe offers. 

Two of the Croatia-USA matches are friendly, though they should have a competitive zeal. Apart from the American way of approaching sports, it should be noted that Croatia will play with full force, especially after Tucak announced that these two games should dispel any minor doubts he has about the player list for Rotterdam.

"These few days with the Americans will surely come in handy. The staff will get an even clearer picture of the team to make the best use of it in Rotterdam," adds the captain of the national team Andro Bušlje.

Center Luka Lončar added:

"What we are doing here now is the final glaze, implementing the coach's tactical ideas, as if we were at the highest level in Rotterdam. The atmosphere is great, as if we have been working together, playing together, and have been friends for several years."

Croatia and the USA will also meet on Sunday, February 7 at 7 pm. Since spectators are not allowed at the Sava swimming pool, you can watch both matches live on Planet Sport 1 or stream them at the Croatian Water Polo Federation Facebook page (hvs.hr).

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.