Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, beckons with its fascinating blend of history and culture. The city effortlessly marries the old and the new – with its rich heritage displayed in the cobblestone streets, neo-baroque and art deco buildings, and enchanting parks. From the Upper Town to the Lower Town, and everywhere in between, this is a destination suited to explore on foot.

If you plan on visiting Zagreb and like the idea of participating in a tour, then there is one adventure not to be missed: Sit&Meet. This unique project offers an extraordinary opportunity to not only tick off the city’s main attractions but also learn about famous Croatians. The tours are educational, enabling guests to learn about exceptional individuals and discover homegrown ingenuity that transformed the world.

The guides at Sit&Meet can take you to see 13 different sculptures of influential Croats, which were made by talented artists. Each statue around town is located by a popular coffee spot, allowing you to get your caffeine-fix while brushing up on your history at the same time. Drinking coffee is an important ritual in Croatia and these tours only add to the experience. Before we dive into the details of the tours, let us take a look at the 13 distinguished Croatians who forever changed the course of history.

From Nikola Tesla’s revolutionary contributions to electrical engineering to Faust Vrancic’s groundbreaking parachute inventions, the inspiring figures celebrated by Sit&Meet tours have left an incredible legacy. These tours not only showcase the remarkable achievements of the inventors but also reveal the vibrant backdrop of the Zagreb area that helped nurture their genius. By exploring the streets and visiting the places where these people lived and worked, you embark on a journey that brings their stories to life.

13 Great Croatian Inventors & Geniuses

1. Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan – a village that back then was part of the Austrian Empire. He became a world renowned inventor and electrical engineer in the years that he lived, from 1856 to 1943, advancing electrical power and transmission. Tesla’s main contributions centered around the development of alternating current electrical systems, which revolutionized power distribution. His other breakthroughs helped in satellite and wireless communications. Tesla’s genius still inspires people today – none more so than Elon Musk who named his electric car company after him.

2. Faust Vrancic

Faust Vrancic was born in modern-day Croatia, in Sibenik. He was a polymath and renaissance man best known for his invention of the parachute. Vrancic’s design, outlined in the book “Machinae Novae,” featured a pyramid-shaped frame covered in cloth which allowed for a controlled descent. It was called “Homo Volans” or “The Flying Man”. On top of that, Faust Vrancic contributed to the field of engineering with his designs for various machines including water pumps and bridges.

3. Marco Polo

Although Marco Polo is believed to be from Venice, some Croatians think he was born in Korcula. In 1271, Polo set off on a journey to Asia that lasted for over two decades. He ventured to places like China, Mongolia and India. His accounts of the trip, published as “The Travels of Marco Polo,” became one of the most influential travelogs in history. Polo’s descriptions of the lands, cultures and riches he encountered captivated Europe. Geographical maps of the Far East were made according to his travelog and he brought back knowledge of a new culture along with noodles and fireworks.

4. Eduard Slavoljub Penkala

Penkala was a prolific Croatian inventor and engineer. One of his most famous inventions was the mechanical pencil, and also the first practical fountain pen. Penkala’s innovative designs transformed writing instruments, and made them more convenient and reliable. Additionally, he created a range of other inventions, including a printing machine and improvements to the gramophone. Penkala’s contributions to engineering and industrial design were significant, earning him over 80 patents.

5. Ivan Vucetic

Ivan Vucetic is a Croat who pioneered fingerprinting techniques. Regarded as the “Father of Forensic Identification,” Vucetic developed a systematic approach to classify and identify fingerprints. His work gained international recognition and was adopted by law enforcement agencies globally. Aside from fingerprinting, Vucetic made contributions to the study of human anthropometry, developing a method to identify individuals based on body measurements. His meticulous research laid the foundation for modern forensic science and greatly advanced the field of criminal investigation.

6. Andrija Mohorovicic

Mohorovicic was a Croatian seismologist and geophysicist, who was born in Volosko (1857) and died in Zagreb (1936). He was the first person to figure out the layers of our planet, along with the discontinuity between them called the Moho layer. Mohorovicic’s cutting-edge research laid the foundation for the understanding of tectonic plate boundaries and how they relate to earthquakes. This work led to the knowledge of how to build earthquake-resistant buildings – crucial in many parts of the world today.

7. Drazen Petrovic

Perhaps the greatest ever European basketball player was Drazen Petrovic, or the “basketball mozart”. The kid from Sibenik played for successful teams including Real Madrid and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. Tragically, his life was cut short in a car accident in 1993, leaving a void in the basketball world and a legacy that continues to inspire players and fans alike.

8. Josip Belusic

Josip Belusic was a Croatian inventor, physician and mathematician. The tinkerings of this man led to the invention of the widely used velocimeter – a device that combines a speedometer, taximater and tachograph into one. Belusic’s velocimeter was utilized in all the world’s carriages at the time.

9. Ruder Boskovic

Ruder Boskovic, born in today’s Croatia, was a prominent polymath referred to as the “universal mind”. Boskovic made contributions to various fields, including mathematics, physics, astronomy and philosophy. He developed a precursor to non-Euclidean geometry and proposed the concept of “atomos” as indivisible units of matter. His observations and calculations contributed to our understanding of comets and the shape of the earth. He also made advancements in optics, proposing the wave theory of light.

10. Milka Trnina

Milka Trnina was an opera singer who started her career in Zagreb. With a powerful voice and expressive performances, Trnina achieved international acclaim during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She performed in renowned opera houses across Europe and the US, captivating audiences with her dramatic interpretations of roles in operas by composers such as Verdi and Wagner. Trnina’s voice was praised for its tone and range, particularly excelling in the dramatic soprano repertoire. Italian composer, Puccini, even called her his favorite opera singer of all time.

11. Ivan Mestrovic

Ivan Mestrovic is named “the sculptor” by Sit&Meet and it’s easy to see why. His works – spanning themes of human suffering, spirituality and national identity – can be found in galleries across the globe, as well as in Zagreb. His sculptures convey a sense of raw emotion and deep introspection.

12. Marin Getaldic

Marin Getaldic was a Croatian mathematician and physicist. He made massive contributions to mathematics, particularly in the field of geometry and the study of conic sections. Getaldic’s work on tangents and normals to curves, along with his advancements in the theory of equations, garnered recognition and influenced future mathematicians.

13. Nikola Subic Zrinski

Nikola Subic Zrinski is one of the most famous generals in Croatian history. He gained fame after his defense of Siget, where around 2,000 soldiers stopped an entire Ottoman army of 100,000 soldiers. Unfortunately, Zrinski lost his life during the siege, but his bold heroism and sacrifice in the face of the Ottoman Empire’s advances earned him widespread admiration.

Different Tour Options with Sit&Meet

Through Sit&Meet’s thoughtfully curated walking tours, visitors have the opportunity to see Croatia as much more than a destination defined by its stunning coastlines and sun-soaked beaches. The tours provide a window into the lives of local people who, through their discoveries, inventions and achievements, have left an indelible mark on the world.

Sit&Meet’s tours offer a unique perspective on Croatia’s cultural heritage, allowing you to connect with the country and its people on a deeper level. The engaging narratives shared by experienced guides provide insights into the inventors’ struggles, triumphs and the societal impact of their innovations. As you walk in their footsteps, you gain an appreciation for the intellectual prowess and creative spirit that abounds in Croatia.

• Long Walking Tour: The Long Walking Tour lasts for two and a half hours and takes you on a stroll for a total of five kilometers. You will get the chance to meet all 13 geniuses mentioned above at locations where their sculptures are placed, along with other popular Zagreb sights. With an expert guide leading the way, there will be countless stories and facts shared with the group to enrich the overall experience. Of course, coffee stops are included to keep you perked up throughout. This tour also includes a cable car ticket to ride the Zagreb funicular.
• Short Walking Tour: The Short Walking Tour has a duration of just two hours and covers a distance of three kilometers. Instead of visiting all 13 sculptures, this experience narrows it down to nine of the very best including: Marco Polo, Nikola Tesla and more. The licensed local guide also showcases other cultural sights in the city and introduces you to the local coffee culture. Again, included in the price, is a ticket for a ride on the city funicular. If you are short on time, this is the perfect tour option.
• Self-Guided Walking Tour: For those who like to discover a city on their own, then the Self-Guided Walking Tour is ideal. It includes information on all 13 sculptures, a map and an audio guide – allowing you to explore until your heart’s content and immerse in the history of Croatian greats.
• Instagram Photo Tour: The Instagram Photo Tour is designed to help travelers leave the city of Zagreb with the most fabulous photos possible. A passionate local guide shows you all the Instagram-worthy spots – which are a combination of popular sights and the Sit&Meet statues. Your social media followers will thank you for taking this specific tour.
• Monuments & Sculptures Tour: This two hour adventure is tailored for all the history buffs, art lovers and cultural enthusiasts out there. It includes Sit&Meet statues, monuments and sculptures in public areas, and unique stories from the local tour guide that will ignite your imagination.

Final Thoughts on Sit&Meet Walking Tours

Zagreb invites travelers to go beyond the traditional image of Croatia as a coastal paradise, and explore the wealth of intellectual and artistic heritage it harbors. Sit&Meet’s fascinating tours provide a gateway to uncover the stories of famous Croatian inventors, allowing you to step into their world and witness the remarkable achievements that have shaped our lives.

Sit&Meet’s commitment to provide a wide range of exciting walking tours ensures every visitor has a tour available to suit their specific interests. By delving into the accomplishments of Croatian geniuses, guests can gain a newfound appreciation for the ingenuity that emanates from this small but mighty country. More than just sailing journeys and football success, Croatia is home to some of the world’s most brilliant minds.

So, the next time you find yourself in Zagreb, don’t miss the opportunity to join Sit&Meet and embark on a journey of discovery. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories of famous Croatian inventors, walk the streets they once roamed and witness the impact they made on civilization.