Kamenita Vrata (The Stone Gate), Zagreb

In 1242 Gradec, now Zagreb, was declared a free royal city with the right to self-government. As this might make the city a target, it had to be surrounded by walls with access only through fortified gates. These days the only gate left standing is the Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata), believed to have been built in 1266.

The Stone Gate is a rectangular one-story entrance tower in the wall of the town. The difference being there is, at present, no wall. Loopholes on the northern and western facades are from the 16th century. There is a tunnel access through the center of the building at ground level for vehicular passage.

In 1731, the fire destroyed most of Zagreb. At the time, a shrine in the Stone Gate held a painting of the Virgin with the baby Jesus. It had not been touched by the fire. This may or not have been a "miracle," but every day, someone comes to the shrine, lights a candle, and utters a prayer to the Mother of God.

Another item in the Stone Gate is a small figure of Dora Krupiceva, a character from the 1871 novel, "The Goldsmith's Gold" by Zagreb author August Senoa. Dora is holding the keys to the city.