St. Mark's Church (Crkva Svetog Marka)

The colorful mosaic roof of St. Mark's makes it easy to spot while walking around Zagreb’s Gornji Grad (Upper Town). This distinctive feature dates to the 19th century, with patterned coats of arms representing Croatia, Zagreb, and the regions of Dalmatia and Slavonia. The interior is not well lit despite several stained-glass windows, but exceptional artworks inside include a Pietà sculpture and crucifix over the altar by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia’s much-revered 20th-century sculptor, and a series of biblical frescoes by artist Jozo Kljaković. Most walking tours of Zagreb include a stop here.

• The church is generally locked; the only way to go inside is to attend a scheduled mass.
• Walk all the way around the church to admire the roof and architecture from all sides.
• The church is a popular photo stop for tourists, so be prepared for crowds competing for the perfect shot.
• Look for the Croatian Sabor (parliament) and Banski Dvori (government) buildings flanking the cathedral.

St. Mark's Church is located in Zagreb’s Gornji Grad (Upper Town). It's a short but steep climb up from Ban Jelačić Square, or you can ride the funicular from Tomićeva Street.

St. Mark’s Square, where the church sits, is always open to the public. To see the inside, visit during a scheduled mass time (usually 7:30am and 6pm Monday–Saturday and 10:30am and 6pm on Sundays). A festively decorated Christmas tree is placed outside the church in December.

Diminutive St. Mark’s may be Zagreb's most colorful church, but the city is home to several houses of worship well worth a photo stop. Topped by twin Gothic spires and towering over Old Town, the Cathedral of the Assumption (also known as the Zagreb Cathedral) is impossible to miss, as it’s the tallest building in Croatia. The large Zagreb Orthodox Cathedral is known for its beautiful gilded frescoes and altarpieces, while the medieval Church of St. Catherine hides a resplendent interior behind an unassuming stone façade.