Emperor Franz Josef in Zadar, 1875

The gardens of queen Jelena Madijevka are the first public city park in Croatia. It was opened on September 16, 1829 at what was then a demilitarized fortress named Grimani. The idea and initiative came from the city military commander, baron Friedrich Welden. On its North-Eastern side there was a cafe decorated in quasi-moorish style. As a testimony of its popularity among the people it is interesting to mention that the emperor Franz Josef has, during his stay in Zadar in 1875, visited this cafe along the other city sights.

Curiosities