Maksimir-Park

Maksimir Park, with an area of 316 hectares is the largest park in the same district of the Croatian capital Zagreb. It was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest public parks in Europe and the largest park in Southern Europe.

Within the very popular to Zagreb at the park is the zoo of Zagreb.

The park has several buildings, ponds and a so-called "Echo Pavilion": here is to listen with time delay as an echo his own voice.

History

In 1787 the park was founded by the Bishop of Zagreb Maksimilijan Vrhovac. Vrhovac decreed that in the episcopal Owned extensive forests should be established as a park and used.

The park's name was first mentioned in written documents in 1791. Since 1794 Maksimir is the first public park in this part of Europe. End of the 18th century, the Zvjerinjak ( precursor of the zoo ) was founded.

Under the bishop Juraj Haulika the park was developed. The Viennese architect Franz Schücht designed almost all the buildings and pavilions. The garden architect Michael Sebastian Riedl coined the further landscaping of the park. After the death of Juraj Haulika in 1869 more pavilions, cottages, sculptures and gardens emerged.

In 1925 ( Labuđi otok ) of today's Zagreb Zoo was on the Swan Island ( Zoološki vrt grada Zagreba ) under then- Mayor Vjekoslav Heinzel founded. Maksimir Park stands as a monument of culture and natural monument under special state protection.