"Novi Zagreb - for freaks only" Hudi Bitek by diocletianvs

Hudi Bitek Travel Guide: 56 reviews and 113 photos

NoviZagreb.hr

Socialist blocks. Grey suburbs. Monster buildings. Urban disaster.
Those are the words many people that arrive to Zagreb by plane describe the area they see from the airport bus. Those that arrive by train are luckier – no one tells them that this part of Zagreb exists, so they never see it.

Novi Zagreb doesn’t exist in VT database. Although with its nearly 150,000 inhabitants, if it weren’t part of big Zagreb, it would be the 5th largest town in Croatia. When I decided to build a page about Novi Zagreb, I first tried to convince the people on VT to add it to their destination database, but with no success. It is part of Zagreb – was the response.

Yeah, right. Like I could make a must-see tips of Mamutica next to the Cathedral. Of Zaprudje next to Gornji Grad.

Well, it is part of Zagreb, like some other destinations in the database. Like Remetinec, part of Novi Zagreb famous as the place of the Zagreb prison. Like Jakusevac, also part of Novi Zagreb famous as the largest waste disposal area in Europe.

So, why did I pit it under Hudi Bitek? Well, I found it under "destinations around...". And did some research. God knows why they deserved to be in VT database – they have 331 inhabitants by the 2001 census, 149 male and 182 female. You get 48 hits for Hudi Bitek in Google. It’s part of Brezovica, which is administratively part of Novi Zagreb, which is part of Zagreb.

***
Let’s get back to Novi Zagreb. It is often refered to as Zagreb’s largest dormitory. Socialist times urban and social disaster. Labels are numerous. And always given by people from (old) Zagreb.

Contrary to Zagreb, there are no traffic jams here. Contrary to Zagreb, when you leave your building you always have green area in front of you. In a small radius you always have everything you might need – school, kindergarten and sports ground; your favourite place to have coffee, market place, bus or tram stop.

If you take some time to enter some of its neighbourhoods, you’ll notice lively atmosphere of peaceful suburbia. Of a generation that was raised here and got used to its scale. And not only got used – they built a certain sense of special pride. Quarters of Novi Zagreb are usually forgotten in offical web pages of Zagreb. But local enthusiasts have built more pages about Novi Zagreb then you’ll find about any part of old town. On Saturdays they have their local festivals. Local bands. And, contrary to what the majority thinks, they are part of a particular urban culture here. People aren’t just sleeping here.

Many of the original inhabitants weren’t able to choose when they were given a flat here in 1960s or 1970s. Many of their children are now choosing to stay, raising new kids amongst those big blocks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Functionalist paradise
Cons:Functionalist disaster
In a nutshell:Not really a must see, but you should see it.

Intro Updated Jun 13, 2004
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Reviews (44)

Italian food Restaurants (1)

The first of the two very popular Baschiera pizzerias was opened in the heart of Novi Zagreb - in Siget, just opposite... more travel advice

Youth hostel Remetinec Hotels (3)

Youth hostel Remetinec was built during the socialist times as one of the places where school excursions coming to... more travel advice

Small hotel in Bundek Hotels (3)

Formerly a motel that was famous for the few-hours visits of Zagreb's businessmen with their blonde secretaries, it is... more travel advice

Hotel with the shortest name Hotels (3)

This is the hotel with the shortest name in Zagreb, and I guess in the country as well. Named simply I (pronounced as E... more travel advice

Local Customs (1)
Park Mladenaca
Shopping (10)
See All Kajzerica China Town
Things to Do (10)
See All Low rises at Siget
Favorites (5)
See All Napoleon's Borders

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Sava embankment
Transportation (6)
See All Croatia Airlines airport buses
Sports & Outdoors (5)
See All Swimming pool
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Comments (39)

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BruceDunning Nov 20, 2010 at 3:47 PM

I do not think I have seen so many high rise apartments in one area, but also has great park and lake. YOur pictures and comments are helpful in understanding the sites.
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nomorewars Apr 10, 2009 at 1:42 AM

Your intro. is very misleading. I was expecting to see and read about some sort of dreary and monstrous place. In all honesty, I rather enjoyed this page.
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TheWanderingCamel Nov 23, 2008 at 7:01 AM

Very interesting to find so much information and insight about the side of city living that is usually ignored by the guidebooks. Good stuff!! leyle
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sennaya Aug 29, 2007 at 2:17 PM

I have no words to say how nice it is...
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edvin_br Aug 16, 2007 at 2:12 AM

Hey! I saw this page a few times already and i must say that its amazing that you bulit such a great page for ... lets say not one of the most visited areas of ths city
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craic Jul 16, 2007 at 12:29 AM

marvellously interesting page
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iandsmith Jan 30, 2007 at 9:31 AM

Love it, warts and all. Wonderful insight into a different culture.
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Grazina Jan 26, 2007 at 8:55 AM

Awesome looking buildings. I see same buildings in Lithuania, Serbia, but I notice that inside is very comfortable and homey...
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ElenaKKKK Nov 25, 2006 at 7:01 AM

I was there 2 or 3 times, course my friends lived here, and cozy spirit is really existing in Novy Zagreb, despite our typical socialist" image, it's not like usual "dormitory favelas", it's alive indeed. I wish it to stay more in this status:-)))))
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lichinga Sep 26, 2006 at 12:39 AM

Quite an optimistic view of Novi Zagreb, despite your motto! I love the page!