Zagreb Cathedral
Zagreb Cathedral, formally dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the kings Saints Stephen and Ladislaus, has presided over the Kaptol district for more than 800 years. First consecrated in 1217, it was devastated during the 1242 Mongol invasion and rebuilt by Bishop Timothy later in the century. At 108 metres tall it is the highest building in Croatia and an unmistakable symbol of the capital, its twin spires visible from across the city.
The cathedral's present neo-Gothic appearance dates to a sweeping reconstruction between 1880 and 1902, led by architect Hermann Bolle after an 1880 earthquake badly damaged the medieval structure. Inside, the cathedral preserves Gothic vaulting, Baroque marble altars, and the entombed remains of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, the 20th-century archbishop and cardinal whose marble sarcophagus lies behind the main altar and remains a focus of devotion.
Disaster struck again on 22 March 2020, when a magnitude-5.5 earthquake shook Zagreb and snapped the top off the southern spire. The cathedral has since been wrapped in scaffolding for extensive restoration, with both spires undergoing repair. Even amid the works, it continues as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Zagreb and the spiritual heart of Croatian Catholicism, drawing pilgrims and visitors to one of Central Europe's great neo-Gothic monuments.
- Location
- 45.8146, 15.9788
- Local time
- 00:33 (Europe/Zagreb)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 13:00–17:00 |
Hours are approximate; the cathedral has been under earthquake restoration since 2020, so interior access may be limited or closed and tourist visits are not allowed during Mass. Verify before visiting.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saint
The cathedral's principal dedication is to the Assumption of Mary, from which it takes its full formal name.
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Saint Stephen of Hungary Saint
King Stephen I of Hungary is honored as a co-patron in the cathedral's dedication.
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Saint Ladislaus Saint
King Ladislaus I of Hungary, who founded the Diocese of Zagreb in 1094, is a co-patron of the cathedral.
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Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Blessed
The beatified archbishop and cardinal is entombed in a marble sarcophagus behind the main altar.
Care & donations
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zagreb
Admission is free; donations toward upkeep and the ongoing post-earthquake restoration are welcomed.
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