Grič Cannon: Traditional noon boom in Zagreb to return after long break
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Lotrščak Tower from where the cannon fires (Photo credit: S Carek/Zagreb TZ)
It scattered pigeons and shocked tourists on a daily basis at midday in the Croatian capital Zagreb for over 140 years now until 2020 when the city was effected by an earthquake.
Now, after more than a year, Zagreb’s Grič Cannon will again start firing daily at noon starting from February 14, 2022.
The firing from the Grič Cannon stopped as a result of the earthquake as resulting vibrations were traumatic for citizens of the Upper Town.
After more than a year, Grič cannon will once again mark Zagreb’s noon with a recognizable sound. Shooting at noon from the Lotrščak Tower will continue daily starting from February 14, 2022. ❤️#Zagreb #VisitZagreb #LoveZagreb pic.twitter.com/E9B7ZiyaPO
— Zagreb Tourist Board (@zagreb_tourist) February 10, 2022
The only other time firing had only suspended since 1877 was after World War I, from 1918 to 1926.
The Grič Cannon is one of Zagreb’s most recognisable landmarks. Since Since 1 January 1877 the cannon fired from the fortified Lotrščak tower on Grič in the upper town to mark midday.
Lotrscak Tower where the cannon is fired from (Photo: J Duval/Zagreb TZ)
The cannon was initially used to communicate to bell-ringers of the city’s churches that it was exactly 12:00 noon.
