I'm planning a trip this December, hitting Bratislava, Budapest, and Zagreb. Does anyone have any recommendations for good architecture 1900-present? I assume the 'old stuff' will be covered by Mr. Rick Steves, but I'm interested about learning a bit more about the local architects from this part of the world.
(We'll also be going to Prague, Vienna, and Ljubljana, but I've been to these cities and I know my way around... so no need for recommendations)
I was just in Zagreb this past summer. Only 4 short days, so I can't say anything too specific. But I do remember the set-up of the city. It's very interesting in terms of planning: the more traditional part of town is on a hill and it's divided from the "Lower Town" by one main street (Ilica), which is pretty much the heartbeat of the town. Very very beautiful city. Make sure to visit Katarinin Trg (name of one part of upper town)...You will get to see the panorama of Zagreb from there. And also there's a bunch of interesting museums up there as well.
Ahhh, now my memories are flooding back. The people I stayed with were living close to this lake called "Jarunsko Jezero". Last time I was there before this summer was in 1996: the war had just recently ended and the city was dead, especially this outer part of town. Now, there's a whole bunch of new constructions of residential buildings and even my host was surprised that these were there (they must have been built within the last year or so). I remember one series of buildings in particular: very soviet architecture-like and each building (in a series of five or so) had a different color theme. But the main color was a very dark gray, so these buildings were kind of depressing to me. If you do get to go there, you will most likely see them. I cannot remember the exact location, but you have to walk along the lake...towards west I believe.....and they are right there!
Also, the HDLU building (Croatian Artists Association) is pretty cool. http://www.hdlu.hr/eng/
When walking around town (especially around Ilica and the Upper Town), make sure to peek into the "Haustor-s" of the buildings. Haustor is a german word, it's also a very popular band from Zagreb (I love them!). But haustor in this context is an open hallway entry into a (mostly) residential building. During the summer, it was extremely hot in the city, and these haustors offered a really amazing breeze. Plus, it's nice to see how people live (usually, you will find hanging laundry, but I don't know if they keep the gates open in the winter).
Hope this helps.
Oct 29, 09 2:16 am ·
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planning a trip: Bratislava, Budapest, Zagreb
I'm planning a trip this December, hitting Bratislava, Budapest, and Zagreb. Does anyone have any recommendations for good architecture 1900-present? I assume the 'old stuff' will be covered by Mr. Rick Steves, but I'm interested about learning a bit more about the local architects from this part of the world.
(We'll also be going to Prague, Vienna, and Ljubljana, but I've been to these cities and I know my way around... so no need for recommendations)
thanks!
BUDAPEST
House of Terror Museum
Andrássy út 60
http://www.terrorhaza.hu/
Holocaust Memorial Centre
Páva utca 39
www.hdke.hu
Palace of Arts
Komor Marcell utca
www.mupa.hu
Lanchid 19 Hotel
http://www.lanchid19hotel.hu/
I was just in Zagreb this past summer. Only 4 short days, so I can't say anything too specific. But I do remember the set-up of the city. It's very interesting in terms of planning: the more traditional part of town is on a hill and it's divided from the "Lower Town" by one main street (Ilica), which is pretty much the heartbeat of the town. Very very beautiful city. Make sure to visit Katarinin Trg (name of one part of upper town)...You will get to see the panorama of Zagreb from there. And also there's a bunch of interesting museums up there as well.
Ahhh, now my memories are flooding back. The people I stayed with were living close to this lake called "Jarunsko Jezero". Last time I was there before this summer was in 1996: the war had just recently ended and the city was dead, especially this outer part of town. Now, there's a whole bunch of new constructions of residential buildings and even my host was surprised that these were there (they must have been built within the last year or so). I remember one series of buildings in particular: very soviet architecture-like and each building (in a series of five or so) had a different color theme. But the main color was a very dark gray, so these buildings were kind of depressing to me. If you do get to go there, you will most likely see them. I cannot remember the exact location, but you have to walk along the lake...towards west I believe.....and they are right there!
Also, the HDLU building (Croatian Artists Association) is pretty cool.
http://www.hdlu.hr/eng/
When walking around town (especially around Ilica and the Upper Town), make sure to peek into the "Haustor-s" of the buildings. Haustor is a german word, it's also a very popular band from Zagreb (I love them!). But haustor in this context is an open hallway entry into a (mostly) residential building. During the summer, it was extremely hot in the city, and these haustors offered a really amazing breeze. Plus, it's nice to see how people live (usually, you will find hanging laundry, but I don't know if they keep the gates open in the winter).
Hope this helps.
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