Monuments to Modernism: An Audio Tour of the Zagreb Trade Fair

Duration45m - 1h 15m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This self-guided audio tour explores the Zagreb Trade Dair’s history and significance, tracing its evolution from a symbol of Yugoslav ambition to the neglected open-air museum it is today in independent Croatia.

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll also see the place where Louis Armstrong played a concert, Orson Welles shot a movie, and Croatia’s first president practiced tennis.

At the USA pavilions, you’ll see where Yugoslavs saw the first American manned spacecraft and their country’s first American-style supermarket. At the pavilions of other Cold War giants like China and Czechoslovakia, you’ll discover how the fair was also an arena for great power rivalries.

By the end of this architectural tour, you’ll have gained an insight into Yugoslavia’s unique politics and witnessed the treatment of its heritage in today’s Croatia.

What's included

VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Lifetime access to this tour in English
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink

What to expect

Pass by

Yugoslavia pursued its own path to socialism, straddling the line between Eastern and Western Blocs. It was the founding member of the Non-aligned Movement during the Cold War’s height.

One of the ways it aimed to demonstrate the strength of its economy and tell the world about its new, international orientation was the Zagreb Trade Fair (Zagrebački Velesajam). This walking tour explores the fair’s history and significance, tracing its evolution from a symbol of Yugoslav ambition to the neglected open-air museum it is today in independent Croatia.
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Velesajam Paviljon 5.
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Paviljon 34.
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Italian Pavillion
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Velesajam Paviljon 12
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Badminton Centar MAX (Paviljon 20)
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Zagreb Fair Pavilion 9
Pass by

You’ll see several Yugoslav pavilions where the country showcased its industrial achievements. You’ll not only pass gems of modernist industrial architecture, but you'll also see Velesajam Paviljon 7A

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This tour starts at Velesajam Paviljon 7A. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This tour starts at Velesajam Paviljon 7A. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Additional information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.