Maksimir Park
Encyclopedia
Maksimir Park is Zagreb
's oldest public park. It forms part of the city's cultural heritage and is a habitat for many different plant and animal species.
of Zagreb (1752 1827). At that time, the park was located on the outskirts of the city, although today it is surrounded by many of the city's neighborhoods. It was formerly a dense forest of hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) and oaks (Quercus robur, and Q. petraea). The remainder of the original forest survives as a girdle to the park, the area in total measuring above 1005 acres (4.1 km²).
style, in 1839, Bishop Juraj Haulik
(1788–1869), and others redesigned the park. Haulik's vision was very much in line with Biedermeier
ist notions, and romantic neoclassicism
, with elements from historicism
; and in emulation of the park at the Laxenburg
estate of the Habsburgs.
The process of transforming Maksimir Park involved the felling of the forest interior, the grading of hills, the excavating of great holes for lakes, the laying of paths, and construction of bridges.
Others who were instrumental in the making of the park were sculptors Anton Dominik Fernkorn
(1813–1878), and Josip Kassmann (1784–1856); master gardner Franjo Serafin Korbler (1812–1866); landscape architect Michael Sebastian Riedel (1763–1850); and architect Franz Schücht.
Schücht's contributions include, among others, Paviljon Jeka (The Pavilion of Echoes), a lookout known as the Kiosk, and a house called Švicarska kuća (The Swiss House).
Zagreb’s Zoo
also forms part of the park’s territory, located in the southern part of Maksimir Park.
In addition to the park, the name Maksimir may also refer to one of Zagreb’s neighborhoods and NK Dinamo’s stadium, both of which are adjacent to the park.
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
's oldest public park. It forms part of the city's cultural heritage and is a habitat for many different plant and animal species.
History
Founded in 1787, Maksimir Park was the first large public park in South-Eastern Europe, and predates the majority of Europe's public park foundings. The park was opened in 1794 under the initiative of the man for whom it was named, Bishop Maksimilijan VrhovacMaksimilijan Vrhovac
Maksimilijan Vrhovac was the bishop of Zagreb. He was one of the ideological architects of the Croatian national revival. Vrhovac is well-remembered for his tireless work to collect the nation's spiritual treasure and spread the access to books among the Croatian people...
of Zagreb (1752 1827). At that time, the park was located on the outskirts of the city, although today it is surrounded by many of the city's neighborhoods. It was formerly a dense forest of hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) and oaks (Quercus robur, and Q. petraea). The remainder of the original forest survives as a girdle to the park, the area in total measuring above 1005 acres (4.1 km²).
Landscaping
Although the landscaping was first conceived by Bishop Vrhovac in the baroqueBaroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style, in 1839, Bishop Juraj Haulik
Juraj Haulik
Juraj Haulik de Váralya was a Croatian cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church of Slovak ethnicity and the first archbishop of Zagreb. He was also acting ban of Croatia for two separate terms.He studied theology and philosophy in Trnava, Esztergom and Vienna...
(1788–1869), and others redesigned the park. Haulik's vision was very much in line with Biedermeier
Biedermeier
In Central Europe, the Biedermeier era refers to the middle-class sensibilities of the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions...
ist notions, and romantic neoclassicism
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
, with elements from historicism
Historicism
Historicism is a mode of thinking that assigns a central and basic significance to a specific context, such as historical period, geographical place and local culture. As such it is in contrast to individualist theories of knowledges such as empiricism and rationalism, which neglect the role of...
; and in emulation of the park at the Laxenburg
Laxenburg
Laxenburg is a town in the district of Mödling in the Austrian state of Lower Austria, near Vienna.- History :The place is well-known for its castle, Schloss Laxenburg, which, beside Schönbrunn, was the most important summer seat of the Habsburg dynasty....
estate of the Habsburgs.
The process of transforming Maksimir Park involved the felling of the forest interior, the grading of hills, the excavating of great holes for lakes, the laying of paths, and construction of bridges.
Others who were instrumental in the making of the park were sculptors Anton Dominik Fernkorn
Anton Dominik Fernkorn
Anton Dominick Ritter von Fernkorn was a German-Austrian sculptor. He was born in Erfurt, Thuringia and died in Vienna.- Career :...
(1813–1878), and Josip Kassmann (1784–1856); master gardner Franjo Serafin Korbler (1812–1866); landscape architect Michael Sebastian Riedel (1763–1850); and architect Franz Schücht.
Schücht's contributions include, among others, Paviljon Jeka (The Pavilion of Echoes), a lookout known as the Kiosk, and a house called Švicarska kuća (The Swiss House).
Design
The park has several big meadows, numerous creeks, and five lakes, and is a habitat for various plant and animal species, such as the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius), an endangered species in Europe.Zagreb’s Zoo
Zagreb Zoo
Zagreb Zoo is one of three zoo parks in Croatia.It has 275 animal species represented by 2,225 animals and located within the Maksimir Park.The zoo opened its doors on June 27, 1925...
also forms part of the park’s territory, located in the southern part of Maksimir Park.
In addition to the park, the name Maksimir may also refer to one of Zagreb’s neighborhoods and NK Dinamo’s stadium, both of which are adjacent to the park.