 Southwest view of the Square | |
 Interactive map of Ban Jelačić Square | |
| Native name | Trg bana Jelačića (Croatian) |
|---|---|
| Former name(s) | Harmica(until 1848) Republic Square(1946–1990) |
| Namesake | BanJosip Jelačić |
| Location | Donji grad,Zagreb,Croatia |
| Coordinates | 45°48′47″N15°58′38″E / 45.81306°N 15.97722°E /45.81306; 15.97722 |
| North | Splavnica and Harmica streets |
| East | Jurišićeva Street |
| South | Praška and Gajeva streets |
| West | Ilica Street |
| Construction | |
| Completion | c. 17th century |
Ban Jelačić Square (pronounced[bâːnjɛ̌lat͡ʃit͡ɕ];Croatian:Trg bana Jelačića) is the central square of the city ofZagreb,Croatia, named afterbanJosip Jelačić. Its official name isTrg bana Josipa Jelačića and is colloquially calledJelačić plac.
The square is located below Zagreb's old city coresGradec andKaptol, just directly south of theDolac Market on the intersection ofIlica from the west. Radićeva Street is from the northwest, the small streets Splavnica and Harmica from the north, Bakačeva Street from the northeast, Jurišićeva Street from the east, Praška Street from the southeast and Gajeva Street from the southwest. It is the center of the ZagrebDowntown pedestrian zone.
The square's history begins in 1641 when a new marketplace was created on a plain below Gradec and Kaptol, near Manduševec spring. Over time, buildings and access roads were constructed around the marketplace. The location, initially called Manduševec, was later renamed to Harmica.[1] The oldest standing building, dating from the 18th century, is situated at 1 Ban Jelačić Square.[2]
In 1826, the cattle market was relocated to what is nowZrinjevac Park. Groceries, transported to Harmica on carts, continued to be sold there until 1858.[3]
In 1848, the square was renamed to its present name.[2] A large statue of BanJosip Jelačić on a horse, created by Austrian sculptorAnton Dominik Fernkorn was installed on 19 October 1866 by Austrian authorities, despite protests from Zagreb councilmen.[citation needed] It also caused unease amongst Hungarians, who saw Jelačić as a traitor.Ahorsecar line passing through the square's southern side was introduced in 1891. Between 1910 and 1911, horses were replaced by electric trams.[2]
In 1946, the square was renamed to Republic Square (Trg Republike).[2] Jelačić's statue was removed in 1947 as the new communist government ofSFR Yugoslavia denounced him as a "servant of foreign interests".[4] Antun Bauer, a curator of theGliptoteka gallery, kept it in the gallery cellar.
After World War II, car traffic through the square intensified. In 1975, the square became acar-free zone.[2]
The1987 Summer Universiade (World University Games) was held in Zagreb. The city used the event to renovate and revitalize the city.[5] The square was repaved with stone blocks and made part of the downtownpedestrian zone. A part of theMedveščak stream, which had been running under thesewers since 1898, was uncovered by some workers in the area. This part formed the Manduševac fountain that was also covered in 1898.[citation needed]
On 11 October 1990, during the breakup of Yugoslavia and after1990 elections in Croatia, Jelačić's historic role had again been considered positive and the statue was returned to the square but on the north portion facing the south. The name of the square was again changed to be named after Josip Jelačić.
Jelačić Square is the most common meeting place for people in Zagreb.[citation needed] Being a part of the pedestrian zone, it is inaccessible by car, but it is the main hub fortrams.ZET tram lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 traverse it by day, and 31, 32 and 34 by night.[6]
The present-day square features buildings belonging to different architectural styles ranging fromclassicism,secession, andmodernism. Many of them have antique façades which require renovation. This makes them a common target for advertisers, who cover the construction work with large posters.
The square features the Manduševac fountain located in its eastern part. The square is adorned with Christmas trees and lights duringAdvent.[7]
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Media related toJelačić Square (Zagreb) at Wikimedia Commons
