Memorial Apartment of Marija Jurić Zagorka
The Marija Jurić Zagorka Memorial Apartment preserves the space where the writer lived and worked from the mid-1930s, following the construction of Dolac Market and its associated building, until her death in 1957.
A Literary Pioneer
Marija Jurić Zagorka (1873-1957) is Croatia’s first female professional journalist and one of its most widely read authors. She spent time editing the newspaper “Obzor” and launched groundbreaking publications like “Ženski list,” Croatia’s first women’s magazine, and “Hrvatica.” Zagorka was a fierce advocate, fighting against social discrimination, Magyarization, and Germanization, and tirelessly championing women’s rights.
Her literary and journalistic endeavors were greatly supported by Josip Juraj Strossmayer, who encouraged her to write novels. She crafted stories aimed at a broad audience, weaving romantic narratives with elements of national history. Several of her prose works have been adapted for both stage and screen. Throughout her life and work, she promoted gender equality in all areas.
The Memorial Apartment
In 2009, the City of Zagreb entrusted the Marija Jurić Zagorka Memorial Apartment to the Center for Women’s Studies, following its purchase from her heirs. The apartment comprises a memorial room, a central salon, and the Center’s specialized women’s studies library.
The memorial room showcases furniture and personal items used by Zagorka from the mid-1930s until her death in 1957. Highlights include a Biedermeier set with a loveseat, armchairs, a small table, a dresser, and a large mirror, as well as a Biedermeier writing desk, a Remington typewriter, and glass display cases containing ribbons and acknowledgments received from her admirers.
The salon, or central space, is used for programs organized by the Center for Women’s Studies to promote Zagorka’s life and work, as well as women’s creativity in general.
The specialized women’s studies library houses over 4,500 books and journals on women’s and gender-related topics, providing a valuable resource for research on Marija Jurić Zagorka.
Cultural Heritage
Marija Jurić Zagorka’s collection of published works is recognized as a cultural asset, as is the cultural-historical collection of movable items within the Memorial Apartment, including furniture, artwork, artifacts, ribbons, and historical documents. The Zagreb City Institute for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Monuments has placed the Memorial Apartment under preventative
Nearby, just a few hundred meters away, on Tkalčićeva Street, there is a monument to Marija Jurić Zagorka.
Location
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It is situated on the slopes of Medvednica mountain, in the Carpathian Basin, and on the banks of the Sava river. Zagreb has a rich and diverse history, culture, and architecture that reflect its long and turbulent past.
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