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Republic of Croatia Square ( hr, Trg Republike Hrvatske) is one of the biggest squares in
Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slop ...
,
Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = " Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capi ...
. The square is located in
Lower Town Lower Town (also spelled "Lowertown" (french: la Basse-Ville) is a neighbourhood in Rideau-Vanier Ward in central Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to the east of downtown. It is the oldest part of the city. It is bounded by Rideau Street to the south, ...
, with the Croatian National Theatre building at its centre. It is sometimes billed as the "most beautiful square in Zagreb". The present-day square was formed in the period between 1856 (when the former hospital was built on its northern side) and 1964 (when the ''Ferimport'' building was erected on the western side). However, the majority of buildings overlooking the square were built in the late 19th century in the historicist style of architecture. Republic of Croatia Square was the first in line of three squares which form the west wing of the so-called Lenuci's horseshoe ( hr, Lenucijeva potkova), a U-shaped belt of squares and parks designed by engineer Milan Lenuci in the late 19th century which frames the core part of Zagreb's city centre. The east wing of the belt is formed by the King Tomislav, Strossmayer and
Zrinski Zrinski () was a Croatian- Hungarian noble family, a cadet branch of the Croatian noble tribe of Šubić, influential during the period in history marked by the Ottoman wars in Europe in the Kingdom of Croatia's union with the Kingdom of Hun ...
squares, and the west wing by the Marulić, Mažuranić and Republic of Croatia squares, with the Botanical Garden connecting the two. The square is home to several cultural and educational institutions and several landmark sculptures.


Timeline

*1855–1856 - The square begins to take shape with the first building constructed on its northern side, a hospital ran by Daughters of Charity. From 1868 to 1882 the building housed a tobacco factory, and when the factory was moved out in 1882 it was taken over by the University of Zagreb. Today it houses the Zagreb Faculty of Law and the university rectorate. It was designed by architect Ludwig von Zettl. *1864 - The area of the present-day square is used as a fair ground for the first trade fair held in Croatia, the First Dalmatian-Croatian-Slavonian Trade Exhibition ( hr, Prva dalmatinsko-hrvatska-slavonska gospodarska izložba), which was opened by ''
ban Ban, or BAN, may refer to: Law * Ban (law), a decree that prohibits something, sometimes a form of censorship, being denied from entering or using the place/item ** Imperial ban (''Reichsacht''), a form of outlawry in the medieval Holy Roman ...
'' Josip Šokčević and attended by more than 3,000 companies from throughout Croatia and the
Austrian Empire The Austrian Empire (german: link=no, Kaiserthum Oesterreich, modern spelling , ) was a Central- Eastern European multinational great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the realms of the Habsburgs. During its existence, ...
. *1874 - The building which today houses the ''
Školska knjiga Školska knjiga (lit. ''Schoolbook'', ) is one of the largest publishing companies in Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = " Lijepa naša domo ...
'' publishing company is built on the eastern side. Designed by Janko Jambrišak, it went through several renovations and modifications since then. *1876–1878 - A two-story house designed by Franjo Klein is built on the eastern side, originally as the headquarters of the Croatian chamber of commerce (''Hrvatsko gospodarsko društvo''). In 1922 a third floor was added; today it is part of the Faculty of Law. *1884 - The southern side of the square is closed, through the construction of the building which housed the ''
Sokol The Sokol movement (, ''falcon'') is an all-age gymnastics organization first founded in Prague in the Czech region of Austria-Hungary in 1862 by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner. It was based upon the principle of " a strong mind in a ...
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gymnastics Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, dedication and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, s ...
society and the ''Kolo'' folklore group. A revised design by architect Matija Antolec was used for the building. The west wing was added during the construction of the Croatian National Theatre 11 years later, which was originally used for storing theatre props (today it houses a spare ballet hall, art workshops and heating systems for the theatre building). In 1969 the west wing was connected to the theatre via a tunnel. The rest of the building today houses the Academy of Dramatic Art. *1888 - The building housing the School of Crafts (''Obrtna škola'', today the School of Applied Arts and Design) and the Museum of Arts and Crafts is built on the western side, designed by architect Hermann Bollé. *1889 - Eastern side takes its final form with the building of the Teacher's Association (''Učiteljski dom'', today the Croatian School Museum), designed by Leo Hönigsberg of the Hönigsberg & Deutsch architecture studio. *1891 - A two-story building built on the northwest corner, designed by Kuno Waidmann (today home of the
Miroslav Krleža Lexicographical Institute Miroslav may refer to: * Miroslav (given name), a Slavic masculine given name * ''Young America'' (clipper) or ''Miroslav'', an Austrian clipper ship in the Transatlantic case oil trade * Miroslav (Znojmo District), a town in the Czech Republic ...
). *1895 - The new building of the Croatian National Theatre designed by Fellner & Helmer opens (the theatre moves here from its old location in the Old City Hall in Gradec). The inauguration is attended by Emperor Franz Joseph and marked by a student protest who burned the Hungarian flag at Ban Jelačić Square (as the theatre was built during the reign of ''
ban Ban, or BAN, may refer to: Law * Ban (law), a decree that prohibits something, sometimes a form of censorship, being denied from entering or using the place/item ** Imperial ban (''Reichsacht''), a form of outlawry in the medieval Holy Roman ...
''
Károly Khuen-Héderváry Count Károly Khuen-Héderváry de Hédervár, born as ''Károly Khuen de Belás'' ( hr, Dragutin Khuen-Héderváry, 23 May 1849 – 16 February 1918) was a Hungarian politician and the Ban of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia in the late nine ...
and the project was seen as part of his
Magyarization Magyarization ( , also ''Hungarization'', ''Hungarianization''; hu, magyarosítás), after "Magyar"—the Hungarian autonym—was an assimilation or acculturation process by which non-Hungarian nationals living in Austro-Hungarian Transleitha ...
policies). *1899 - A two-story house built on the eastern side, designed by Martin Pilar. In 1922 the building was reconstructed and a third floor and a
mansard roof A mansard or mansard roof (also called a French roof or curb roof) is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterised by two slopes on each of its sides, with the lower slope, punctured by dormer windows, at a steeper angle than the upper. Th ...
were added, based on the designs by Oton Goldscheider. Today it houses the ''Kazališna kavana'' (
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...
: Theatre Cafe). *1903 - Secessionist-style building erected on the southwest corner, designed by
Vjekoslav Bastl Vjekoslav "Alojz" Bastl (1872–1947) was a Croatian architect known for his diverse Art Nouveau, secessionist architectural style. His work circulated mostly within the boundaries of Zagreb, where he resided. Later in life, he got heavily infl ...
for Hönigsberg & Deutsch * 1911–1912 - The northern part of the square undergoes redecoration, designed by Ignjat Fischer. Obelisk-shaped candelabra which were built in front of the National Theatre moved to the Mirogoj cemetery and Ivan Meštrović's sculpture ''Well of Life'' was installed in its place. * 1913 - East of the ''Kolo'' building, Frank House was erected, designed by Viktor Kovačić in the Renaissance Revival style * 1964 - The ''Željpoh'' building (later known as ''Ferimport'' building) built on the western side of the square, designed by Stanko Fabris. * 2014 - ''Željpoh'' building demolished in 2009, the new building of the Zagreb Academy of Music was built on its location, and opened in September 2014.


Sculptures

* ''St. George Killing the Dragon'' by Anton Dominik Fernkorn located in the southwest corner; made in 1853 in
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, the sculpture was bought and brought to Zagreb by
Juraj Haulik Juraj Haulik de Váralya ( sk, Juraj Haulík Váralyai, hu, Haulík Váralyai György; 20 April 1788 – 11 May 1869) was a Croatian cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church of Slovak ethnicity and the first archbishop of Zagreb. He was also acti ...
in 1867, when it was placed at the entrance of Maksimir Park. In 1884 it was handed over to the City of Zagreb and then moved first to Strossmayer square before being moved again and installed at its current location in 1907. * ''Well of Life'', designed by sculptor Ivan Meštrović in front of the Croatian National Theatre building; created in 1905 and installed in 1912. * ''History of Croats'' by Ivan Meštrović, in front of the Faculty of Law; created in 1932. * Monument to
Đuro Deželić Đuro Deželić ( Ivanić-Grad, 25 March 1838 – Zagreb, 28 October 1907) was a Croatian writer. After finishing law school at the University of Zagreb, he soon became involved with the city's municipal government. From 1871 until his death ...
(1838-1907), writer and politician and founder of firefighting in Croatia, on the west side of the square, in front of the ''Ferimport'' building; designed by sculptor Frane Cota and commissioned by the Croatian Firefighting Association, the monument was erected in 1937.


Former names

Being one of the most prominent squares in Zagreb its name was often changed in accordance to political circumstances of the time. The last change happened in 2017, as citizens' groups were lobbying for another name change on the grounds that
Josip Broz Tito Josip Broz ( sh-Cyrl, Јосип Броз, ; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito (; sh-Cyrl, Тито, links=no, ), was a Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman, serving in various positions from 1943 until his death ...
is a negative historical personality, due to his involvement in the many deaths during the rule of his communist regime. The following is a complete list of names the square carried throughout its history. *1878–1888 ''Sajmišni trg'' (
Fair A fair (archaic: faire or fayre) is a gathering of people for a variety of entertainment or commercial activities. Fairs are typically temporary with scheduled times lasting from an afternoon to several weeks. Types Variations of fairs incl ...
ground Square) *1888–1919 ''Sveučilišni trg'' (University Square) *1919–1927 ''Wilsonov trg'' (
Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856February 3, 1924) was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of ...
Square) *1927–1941 ''Trg kralja Aleksandra I.'' (King
Alexander I Alexander I may refer to: * Alexander I of Macedon, king of Macedon 495–454 BC * Alexander I of Epirus (370–331 BC), king of Epirus * Pope Alexander I (died 115), early bishop of Rome * Pope Alexander I of Alexandria (died 320s), patriarch of A ...
Square) *1941–1945 ''Trg I.'' (Square No. 1) *1945–1946 ''Kazališni trg'' (Theatre Square) *1946–2017 ''Trg maršala Tita'' (
Marshal Tito Josip Broz ( sh-Cyrl, Јосип Броз, ; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito (; sh-Cyrl, Тито, links=no, ), was a Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman, serving in various positions from 1943 until his death ...
Square) *2017–present ''Trg Republike Hrvatske'' (Republic of Croatia Square)


Name change controversy

In February 2008 about 2000 protesters, dressed in red aprons, gathered at the Marshal Tito Square, as it was known at the time, demanding the square to be renamed Theatre Square. Some 200 supporters of
Marshal Tito Josip Broz ( sh-Cyrl, Јосип Броз, ; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito (; sh-Cyrl, Тито, links=no, ), was a Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman, serving in various positions from 1943 until his death ...
also assembled at the opposite end of the square. The police prevented the two groups from coming in contact with each other. Zagreb's Mayor Milan Bandić said that there is no historic reason to change the name of the square. However, in June, 2017, the same mayor stated that he would suggest the square to be renamed and that the new name would be the Republic of Croatia Square. The Square was officially renamed by the City of Zagreb Assembly, and adopted its new name on 1 September 2017.Odlučeno je Trg se više ne zove po maršalu Titu
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References


External links

{{coord, 45, 48, 34, N, 15, 58, 12, E, display=title, type:landmark Squares in Zagreb Donji grad, Zagreb