The Grič cannon has been fired every day at noon since January 1, 1877, to synchronize city clocks.
The tower is named after the 'thieves' bell' that once rang to signal the closing of the city gates at night.
During the 19th century, the tower was repurposed into a residential building and a newspaper office before becoming a tourist attraction.
The original cannon was replaced several times throughout the 20th century due to wear and tear.
The tower survived the massive 1880 Zagreb earthquake with minimal structural damage.
It is one of the few remaining physical segments of the ancient defensive walls that once encircled the Kaptol and Gradec districts.
Lotrščak Tower is a 13th-century fortified structure situated at the southern gate of Zagreb's Gradec district. It is famous for the Grič cannon, which is fired daily to mark noon. The tower was constructed to defend the southern city gates and originally served as part of the Gradec town wall system. Visitors can climb the stone staircase to reach the observation deck, which offers 360-degree panoramic views of Zagreb's Upper and Lower Towns. The structure houses a small gallery space that hosts rotating art exhibitions and historical displays. Its thick stone walls reflect its past as a defensive military fortification. The tower's name originates from the Latin 'campana latrunculorum', meaning 'thieves' bell'. It remains one of the best-preserved monuments of the medieval city fortifications.
The outdoor gallery deck at the top provides the best unobstructed view over the rooftops of the Lower Town.
Visit just before noon to experience the firing of the cannon from the terrace, but bring ear protection as it is extremely loud.
Use the wooden stairs carefully, as they are steep and narrow in the upper sections of the tower.
Plan your ascent early in the day to avoid mid-afternoon queues during the peak summer tourist season.
Do not stand directly next to the cannon when it fires; the sound blast can be startling and physically intense.
Open daily, though the gallery space occasionally closes for brief periods during exhibition changeovers.
