The park was established in 1787 by Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac, from whom it takes its name.
It was the first public park in Southeast Europe, opened to the public in 1794.
The landscape architecture transitioned from a formal French Baroque style to an English romantic style during the 19th century.
The park contains a 19th-century Neo-Gothic gatehouse known as the Vrata naroda (People's Gate).
The Zagreb Zoo, located within the park, was founded in 1925 and houses over 200 animal species.
The park's diverse ecosystem supports the presence of the stag beetle, a protected insect in Europe.
It is home to the remains of the old bishop's summer residence, reflecting the park's ecclesiastical origins.
The five lakes are connected by a system of man-made channels and streams.
During the 19th century, the park was a popular site for local nobility to hold social gatherings and hunt.
The park is officially protected under the Nature Protection Act of Croatia.
Park Maksimir is Zagreb's oldest public park, commissioned in the late 18th century and designed in the English landscape garden style. Covering 316 hectares, the grounds feature five distinct artificial lakes and an extensive network of forest paths. The park hosts the Zagreb Zoo, which is integrated into the southern portion of the landscape. It serves as a protected cultural monument and a significant habitat for various bird species, including the endangered middle spotted woodpecker. Visitors can find several historic pavilions, such as the Bellevue Pavilion and the Echo Pavilion, scattered throughout the wooded areas. The park acts as a primary biodiversity corridor connecting the urban core of Zagreb with the slopes of Mount Medvednica.
The lakeside view featuring the Echo Pavilion, which provides a classic reflection shot across the water.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the park features extensive gravel and dirt paths across uneven terrain.
Carry bottled water, especially during summer months, as shade can fluctuate in open meadow areas.
Use the wooden benches scattered along the secondary trails for quieter, less crowded rest stops.
Avoid walking off-trail into dense brush areas, as tick activity is common during warmer seasons.
Keep dogs on a leash, do not feed wild animals in the forest zones, and dispose of trash in designated bins to protect the natural habitat.
