Zagreb Hippodrome

The Hippodrome has a 2400-meter-long grass racetrack.

In its current location in Kajzerica neighbourhood, the Zagreb Hippodrome covers over 65 hectares between the Sava River in the north, the Zagreb Fair and the Lokomotiva Stadium (now Jožef Antal Street) in the south, the Liberty Bridge and Bundek in the east, and the Kajzerica neighborhood in the west. It was to be a part of a near-utopian Croatian Olympic Center project started in 1947. The prisoners of the old Kajzerica Prison built the layout of many sports fields, but since then, only the Hippodrome and the Lokomotiva Stadium have survived.

The Zagreb Hippodrome is mid-sized, and encompasses all aspects of equestrian sports, which is rare. Modeled after the Paris Longchamp race course on the banks of Seine, whose first race was observed from a yacht by Napoleon III, the nephew of the famous Napoleon. A hundred years later, in 1950, the Zagreb Hippodrome was built on the southern bank of the Sava River, in Kajzerica, which was named after the Kaiser (the Emperor), since that was the location of a former imperial training ground. And also, this was the short lived border of the Illyrian Provinces.

Today it is marked by the old French milestone near the footbridge at the entrance to Kajzerica. The race tracks are high-quality, with good drainage. The Hippodrome used to have birch enclosures, and a grand stand in the sand bank which enclosed the track, as well as other sports objects. The Hippodrome features a rare 2400-meter-long grass racetrack, a 1600-meter-long grass racetrack, and a 1000-meter-long dirt racetrack.  All three tracks were opened in 1950. In the middle of the dirt racetrack there is a show-jumping course.

Celebrities about Zagreb

Alex Kapranos

Alex Kapranos

Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) wrote about Zagreb on his blog: http://bit.ly/nO3yin

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Baka DJ, Ruth Flowers

Baka DJ, Ruth Flowers

Zagreb is beautiful, but the people thrilled me the most. Everybody is so kind and outgoing. I could not wish for better hosts.

Source: Hotel Antunović Zagreb

Foals

Foals

We're excited about our first concert in Croatia and delighted that we had the opportunity to walk around the wonderful city of Zagreb.

Source: INmusic festival

The Fratellis (Jon)

The Fratellis (Jon)

Thanks to everybody who came to see us at the INmusic Festival! We're delighted by the city and hope to see you again.

Source: INmusic festival

Pixies

Pixies

Big thanks on behalf of the PIXIES for another wonderful day in Zagreb! This is a great festival and a wonderful audience (less rain next time, please!). See you.

Source: INmusic festival

Snoop Dog

Snoop Dog

Everything is great here, the girls are beautifull, the service is exceptional. What more can I ask from the town?

Source: Hotel Antunović Zagreb

Eric Sardinas

Eric Sardinas

I am looking forward to Zagreb as a destination where I always feel good. It seems it has been too long since the last time I was here, although it was just a year or so. 

Source: www.muzika.hr

Juliette Gréco

Juliette Gréco

I remember Zagreb as a beautiful city, and the people I met were very nice and offered me a warm welcome. The audience was wonderful as well. Really, that concert has been like a lovely souvenir.

Source: www.muzika.hr

David Byrne

David Byrne

If we leave out the hills in one part of the town, Zagreb is a perfect town for cycling. vid Byrne (Talking Heads) on releasing his book Cycling Diaries

Source: www.mvinfo.hr

THE BLACK KEYS (Patrick)

THE BLACK KEYS (Patrick)

This is our first time in Zagreb. We're really having a great time. We won't be able to see the coast, but we'll get some rest and walk around the city...

Source: INmusic festival