The Meteorological Post on Zrinjevac: Weather’s Impact on Health

The Meteorological Post, Station, Pole or Pillar on Zrinjevac is one of the most recognizable symbols of Zagreb’s central park. The post was a gift to the city from the distinguished balneologist Dr. Adolf Holzer and was erected in 1884, just a year before his death.

The Visionary Donor

Adolf Holzer was born in Svatý Jur, in present-day Slovakia, in 1834. After completing his gymnasium in Požun (Bratislava) and medical studies in Vienna (1857), he became an accomplished physician.

He served as the personal physician to Count Julije Janković in Daruvar and he had key role for the rise of the Lipik health resort in the 1860s. Later he worked at the renowned Czech spa, Františkovy Lázně (Franzensbad). Holzer was also a military doctor and a councilor for the Regional Health Council.

Dr. Holzer closely monitored how weather changes influenced human health, which motivated him to donate and build a public weather station in Zagreb. The pillar was modeled after one he knew from the Czech spa where he worked.

Construction and Craftsmanship

The pillar was designed by the indispensable Zagreb builder of the time, Herman Bollé. It was constructed using Istrian marble in the Neo-Renaissance style.

• Timeline: Construction was remarkably fast, lasting only three months. Works were ceremonially opened by Mayor Dr. Josip Hoffmann in June 1884, and the station was presented to the public at an opening ceremony that September.
• Technical Details: The pillar has a square base with ventilation grilles. The meteorological instruments were procured from the German city of Göttingen.
• Supervision: The technical construction was supervised by physicist Ivan Stožir, the long-time director of the Grič Meteorological Observatory. Several local Zagreb craftsmen participated, including stonemason Baumgarten, locksmith Mesić, carpenter Oblak, sign painter Kassner, and watchmaker König.
• Restoration: The pillar was originally surrounded by an iron fence, which was removed in the mid-20th century. It underwent thorough restorations in 1959 and again in 1993.

Function and Data Display

The data is displayed at eye level across the station’s four “showcases,” offering visitors detailed insights:

• Current Data: Actual meteorological data regarding temperature, humidity, and air pressure, along with their daily movement.
• Climatic Data: Charts showing average temperatures, wind rose patterns, and average monthly precipitation with its annual trends (based on the representative climatic period of 1961–1991).
• Celestial Data: Information on the times of sunrise and sunset in Zagreb.
• The 24-Hour Clock: One of the displays features a clock whose hand travels only one circle during the day, not two as is common, because its face is divided into 24 hours. The Lebarović watchmaker family has cared for the accuracy of the clock and instruments for decades.

Current Use: Although the data from Zrinjevac is interesting to visitors, it is not used as official data by the State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) station on Grič. This is because the instruments do not comply with the current regulations of the World Meteorological Organization. Therefore, the pillar today serves primarily a decorative and popular informative purpose.