• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • World Map
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure/Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Budget Travel Talk

Road Trips Caravan Camping Australia

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
Mirogoj Cemetery Domes Zagreb

Is Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb the most Beautiful Cemetery in Europe?

March 16, 2017 By Jan Robinson 13 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


Is Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb the most beautiful cemetery in Europe? I think so and it is a definite on my list of Zagreb things to do. Mirogoj Cemetery is situated in the leafy foothills of Mount Medvednica in the Croatian captial.

Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb is more than a final resting place. It is a beautiful place to visit, with stunning architecture – yes – architecture and beautiful arcades. 

[pinit]

Peaceful Arcades of Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb

What You Will Find in This Post

Who built Mirogoj Cemetery

Commenced in 1879 by architect Herman Bollé, the walls, arcades, pavilions and morgue took half a century to complete. The powerful brick wall of the Cemetery, topped by twelve distinctive green domes, is captivating and a cafe and the ability to sketch would be great.

Just as the living of Zagreb had a city, Bollé’s vision was to provide the same for the dead and I think he succeeded. The beautiful crematorium (by architects Hrzic, Krznaric and Mance) was added later in 1984.

Walls from the southern (City) end.

The blue/green Domes of Mirogoj Zagreb

The Walls from the northern end.

Domed Walls from the Northern End of Mirogoj Zagreb

The landmark domes can be seen from Jurjevska Street on Cmrok – the opposing hill – where we walked the previous day. You can see that view and others from our Leafy Zagreb walk here.

How to get to Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb

The 106 bus leaves from in front of Zagreb Cathedral every 20 minutes and stops at the main entrance or further along at the Crematorium.

We arrived by a different bus from the other side of town, getting off when we were in a close by street and walking arrived on foot up Aleja Hermanna Bollea, discovering as we went.

While the wall continued into the distance, the southern end where we were, hid an unpretentious gate, just beyond a wisely placed flower stall. Entering through it felt a little like entering a secret garden.

Inside, sheltered by the wall, a magnificent arcade or gallery is revealed.

Not sure of etiquette, I gingerly walked along the very edge so as not to step on the graves. I guess with a lot of visitors present this would be un-realistic, but I remember my grandmother shivering and saying “Someone just walked over my grave”. So I kept to the edge.

Looking South in the Southern Arcade.

Mirogoj Galleries Zagreb

Up in the arcade, lucky tombs shelter in style, where identical pillars support the gracefully curving and delicately flaking ceiling. The cemetery spreads out behind the arcades, divided by treed streets, with many famous and ordinary Zagreb citizens buried between.

Being council-owned Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb Croatia is open to everyone.

The famous writer and Poet Miroslav Krleža whose huge statue we’d came across on our Leafy Zagreb walk is buried here, as is Herman Bollé himself. Look for group memorials like the monument to 400 children killed in the genocide against Jews and other minorities during WWII and the German WWII Cemetery (recognized after a 1996 agreement) where 2000 soldiers lay – a reminder of Peace.

Walking Uphill through the Arcade.

Mirogoj Cemetery Arcade Zagreb

Mirogoj Arcade Lanterns Zagreb

Half way along, it becomes apparent that the wall and arcade are divided into two – north and south – meeting in the middle at the semi-circular main entrance at the Church of Christ the King. Approaching from the south enables a direct south-north exploration, instead of having to see one half then backtrack to the other, if starting at main entrance.

Church and Dome of the northern arcade.

At other times the vibrant green creeper is a deep burgundy red – I hope I get to see that one day.

Church of Christ the King Mirogoj Cemetery Zagreb

Church and Dome of the Southern Arcade.

Mirogoj Church and Dome on Southern Arcade

Wherever we went on this European spring trip the crowds were minimal and Mirogoj was no exception.

It was so peaceful in the arcade, reminiscent of a dreamy church cloister or an outdoor art gallery. As we lingered, admiring statues and paintings, I couldn’t help thinking how lucky we were to have come to such an unusual place.

Jan Robinson

Mirogoj Painting on Arcade Tomb

If you don’t normally visit cemeteries, I suggest making this one the exception.

Mirogoj Cemetery Arcade Pastels

Budget Travel Tips for Visiting Mirogoj

  • Take Bus 106 from Zagreb Cathedral leaving at 20 minute intervals.
  • Look for stalls nearby the Cathedral selling Cemetery supplies.
  • Visit on All Saints Day for Candle Lights, flowers and families.
  • Mirogoj Cemetery Opening Times:
    April – September 6 am to 8 pm.
    Oct – March 7.30 am to 6 pm.

Read more about Croatia here.

Ten Reasons to Visit Mirogoj.

Thanks for reading and commenting – we really appreciate it. If you have a blog, please add a travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which we co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations. 

An InLinkz Link-up


More from my site

  • Woki Organic Market – BarcelonaWoki Organic Market – Barcelona
  • Explore the Turkish Agean at Cunda Island TurkeyExplore the Turkish Agean at Cunda Island Turkey
  • Dubrovnik in PhotosDubrovnik in Photos
  • Tuesday in Townsville – Poinciana Flowers and a Happy New YearTuesday in Townsville – Poinciana Flowers and a Happy New Year
  • Dululu Free Camp in Central Queensland AustraliaDululu Free Camp in Central Queensland Australia
  • Tuesday in Townsville Sunset and BirdTuesday in Townsville Sunset and Bird

Filed Under: Croatia, Experience

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Trapani Palazzo Senatorio now City Hall Trapani in Photos
Next Post: Charming Ljubljana with her River and Bridges Ljubljana - Ljubljanica River Boat Cruise»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon Wagner

    March 16, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    The infinity archway is beautiful. I’ve always loved visiting cemeteries when I travel. So interesting.

    Reply
  2. Nancie

    March 17, 2017 at 7:51 am

    How beautiful. I could see myself wandering around here for days. I’m with your grandmother; no walking on graves 🙂 Thanks for co-hosting this week. Sorry if I’m not been around much. I’m teaching more hours this semester so not a lot of time for much of anything. #TPThursday

    Reply
  3. Rhonda Albom

    March 17, 2017 at 11:08 am

    What an interesting place. I love the architecture, especially the arcade photos. We still haven’t made it to Croatia.

    Reply
    • Jan

      March 19, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      I hope you get to Mirogoj when you get to Croatia Rhonda – maybe the creeper will be Burgundy when you arrive!

      Reply
  4. Ruth

    March 18, 2017 at 2:23 am

    Jan, this is quite a place! It looks like a palace! I like the idea of creating a beautiful city for the dead. To some, it may sound nonsense but it is something to think about. I have been to beautiful cemeteries and mausoleums and they are peaceful and meditative.

    Reply
    • Jan

      March 19, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      I’m not big on visiting cemeteries, but I loved this one. Everyone who appreciated old architecture would love it as well.

      Reply
  5. Kathy Marris

    March 18, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    Beautiful Jan. I think visiting cemeteries in foreign countries is sometimes so interesting. We visited the historical Lafayette Cemetery in New Orleans where all the interred are buried in tombs above the ground. We also visited the cemetery at the River Kwai in Thailand where there were thousands of prisoners of war buried from being worked to death on the construction of the bridge and railways. So Cemeteries definitely can tell you a lot about the history of a particular place.

    Reply
  6. Jackie Smith

    March 18, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    What a beautiful place! I love going to places like this as they are so full of history and the architecture here is stunning. Glad you wrote about it as I will definitely add it to my list should we make good on our promise to get there one day!

    Reply
  7. Photo(Geo)grapher

    March 19, 2017 at 2:57 am

    What fantastic pictures of this beautiful place

    Reply
  8. Travel Visa Australia

    March 20, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Great photos. Mirogoj Cemetery doesn’t look like a cemetery at all, it’s beautiful. Even the wall are beautiful.

    Reply
  9. Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers

    March 21, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    The scale of the building is stunning and so beautiful. I’ve not been but Croatia looks so interesting to visit with all the history.

    Reply
  10. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    March 27, 2017 at 4:54 am

    I sometimes make it a point to stop by cemeteries especially in Europe. They sure know how to build fancy resting places. This has to be one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Those archways and arcades are stunning. This place looks like a royal home.

    Reply
    • Jan

      March 27, 2017 at 9:42 am

      I know Mary! I don’t usually visit cemeteries but I’d seen photos and had to visit for myself. It really is fantastic.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Australia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Townsville Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Bosnia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Cambodia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Canada Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Croatia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Italy Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Laos Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Montenegro Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Morocco Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to New Zealand Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Slovenia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Spain Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Turkey Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to the United States of America Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Vietnam

Pinterest

Visit Budgettraveltalk's profile on Pinterest.

Top Australian and New Zealand Blogger for 2017

Im-a-Top-Australian-and-New-Zealand-Travel-Blogger-for-2017-Medium-Rectangle-300x250px (1)

Mature Bloggers Australia

Mature Bloggers Australia

Footer

Most Popular Posts

Whitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven Beach

Romantic Things for Couples to do in Rome including Valentines Day

Things to Do in Huskisson and Jervis Bay

Hobart to Bruny Island: Tours from Hobart or Self Drive Bruny Island?

Ferry to Eyup Istanbul for Pierre Loti views and Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque 2018

About Jan & Marty

We are Jan and Marty and we love travel.

The best thing about being in our 60’s is that our travel budget is flexible, allowing us to enjoy great experiences, good food and fun people. As with most things in life, it’s all about priorities.

Copyright © 2023 Budget Travel Talk - Journey. Destination. Experience.