Ban Jelačić Square

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Ban Jelačić Square

Southwest view of the Square
Native name	Trg bana Jelačića (Croatian)
Former name(s)	Harmica (until 1848) Republic Square (1946–1990)
Namesake	Ban Josip Jelačić
Location	Donji grad, Zagreb, Croatia
Coordinates	45°48′47″N 15°58′38″E / 45.81306°N 15.97722°E / 45.81306; 15.97722
North	Splavnica and Harmica streets
East	Jurišićeva Street
South	Praška and Gajeva streets
West	Ilica Street
Construction
Completion	c. 17th century

Ban Jelačić Square (pronounced [bâːn jɛ̌lat͡ʃit͡ɕ]; Croatian: Trg bana Jelačića) is the central square of the city of Zagreb, Croatia, named after Ban Josip Jelačić. Its official name is Trg bana Josipa Jelačića and is colloquially called Jelačić plac.

The square is located below Zagreb's old city cores Gradec and Kaptol, just directly south of the Dolac Market on the intersection of Ilica from the west. Radićeva Street is from the northwest, the small streets Splavnica and Harmica from the north, Bakačeva Street from the northeast, Jurišićeva Street from the east, Praška Street from the southeast and Gajeva Street from the southwest. It is the center of the Zagreb Downtown pedestrian zone.

The square's history begins in 1641 when a new marketplace was created on a plain below Gradec and Kaptol, near Manduševec spring. Over time, buildings and access roads were constructed around the marketplace. The location, initially called Manduševec, was later renamed to Harmica.^[1] The oldest standing building, dating from the 18th century, is situated at 1 Ban Jelačić Square.^[2]

In 1826, the cattle market was relocated to what is now Zrinjevac Park. Groceries, transported to Harmica on carts, continued to be sold there until 1858.^[3]

In 1848, the square was renamed to its present name.^[2] A large statue of Ban Josip Jelačić on a horse, created by Austrian sculptor Anton Dominik Fernkorn was installed on 19 October 1866 by Austrian authorities, despite protests from Zagreb councilmen.^{[citation needed]} It also caused unease amongst Hungarians, who saw Jelačić as a traitor.

A horsecar line passing through the square's southern side was introduced in 1891. Between 1910 and 1911, horses were replaced by electric trams.^[2]

In 1946, the square was renamed to Republic Square (Trg Republike).^[2] Jelačić's statue was removed in 1947 as the new communist government of SFR Yugoslavia denounced him as a "servant of foreign interests".^[4] Antun Bauer, a curator of the Gliptoteka gallery, kept it in the gallery cellar.

After World War II, car traffic through the square intensified. In 1975, the square became a car-free zone.^[2]

The 1987 Summer Universiade (World University Games) was held in Zagreb. The city used the event to renovate and revitalize the city.^[5] The square was repaved with stone blocks and made part of the downtown pedestrian zone. A part of the Medveščak stream, which had been running under the sewers since 1898, was uncovered by some workers in the area. This part formed the Manduševac fountain that was also covered in 1898.^{[citation needed]}

On 11 October 1990, during the breakup of Yugoslavia and after 1990 elections in Croatia, Jelačić's historic role had again been considered positive and the statue was returned to the square but on the north portion facing the south. The name of the square was again changed to be named after Josip Jelačić.

Jelačić Square is the most common meeting place for people in Zagreb.^{[citation needed]} Being a part of the pedestrian zone, it is inaccessible by car, but it is the main hub for trams. ZET tram lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 traverse it by day, and 31, 32 and 34 by night.^{[citation needed]}

The present-day square features buildings belonging to different architectural styles ranging from classicism, secession, and modernism. Many of them have antique façades which require renovation. This makes them a common target for advertisers, who cover the construction work with large posters.

The square features the Manduševac fountain located in its eastern part. The square is adorned with Christmas trees and lights at Christmas.^{[citation needed]}

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  Ban Jelačić statue
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  Ban Jelačić east
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  Façades of buildings in the north
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  Jelačić Square
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  Funeral of Jelačić through square, 1859
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  Fan celebrations at the square a day after 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, 16 July 2018

• Media related to Jelačić Square (Zagreb) at Wikimedia Commons