Mount Medvednica

11 September 2018

We decided to escape the city on the third day, and caught a tram to the base of the nearby Mount Medvednica (“Bear Mountain”). We started our hike from suburbias edge at the end of the tram line, and wound our way through the forest, passing a derelict fort and a tennis court on the lower slopes. We soon joined one of the wider, main routes to the summit, which made for pleasant walking with a gentle incline through beautiful green forests, and with ample rest stops along the way. The summit of the mountain functions as a ski resort in winter, but in summer looks rather strange and sad, with ramshackle huts and stacks of ski-lift chairs piled around.

We found a shady spot for lunch, and set off down a steeper, rockier path, eventually reaching Medvedgrad Fortress. The castle was unfortunately closed for renovation, but some kind contractors allowed us a quick peek inside the walls.

Back in town in the afternoon, we paid a visit to the Technical Museum, which showcases various technological inventions ranging from steam engines and watermills to fire engines through the ages. There is also an exhibition and demonstration dedicated to Nikola Tesla, Croatia / Serbia’s most famous inventor (depending who you ask), complete with a demonstration of 3 million volts of electricity from a Tesla coil. Supper followed with burgers, local beer and a dose of people watching.