Woody Plants of the Historic Ribnjak Park in Zagreb

Abstract

Historic parks in European urban environments have multiple values: they serve as hotspots of biodiversity, spaces of historical and cultural significance, sites of horticultural experimentation, and important elements in shaping urban identity. The city of Zagreb inherits a series of such parks created in the 19th century, among which Ribnjak, located beneath the cathedral, occupies a special place. Its present appearance has been shaped over nearly two centuries of change – from a romantic landscape with water surfaces, through modernist interventions after World War II, to contemporary uses.
In 19th‑century parks, plants were important design elements, transforming space into an idealized natural landscape that combined aesthetic beauty, botanical enthusiasm for exotic species, and social prestige. Because of this important role of plants, a woody plant inventory of Ribnjak Park was conducted from spring 2025 to spring 2026.
A total of 99 taxa were recorded, dominated by trees, with a smaller number of shrubs and climbers. Although deciduous species prevail, evergreen plants, particularly conifers, ensure continuity during winter months. Notable among them are specimens of yew, a species of historical and conservation importance.
Biogeographical analysis revealed a high proportion of non‑native taxa, a characteristic feature of parks designed in the 19th century. Comparison with the 1958 list, which recorded 113 taxa, confirmed 58 taxa and indicated losses in woody flora over the past decades. At the same time, several species planted in Zagreb's parks and gardens during the 19th century remain present today, including individual solitaires and groups of old trees, demonstrating the long‑term continuity of historical horticultural choices. The diversity of woody plants shapes ambiences and vistas that complement the spatial elements of the park. Paths, resting areas, flower beds, meadows, and sculptures together create a layered spatial experience, while views toward the cathedral reinforce Ribnjak as a cultural landscape. Ribnjak Park thus emerges as a space where historical continuity, plant diversity, and spatial elements intertwine to form a recognizable historic environment of Zagreb.