Zagreb Hippodrome
Zagreb Hippodrome (Croatian: Zagrebački hipodrom) is a horse racing venue in Zagreb, Croatia. It was built from 1947 to 1950, with a design based on the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. It is located in the neighbourhood of Kajzerica, on the southern bank of the Sava river, near the Bundek lake.[1] The venue covers an area of 47 hectares (120 acres).[2] It was originally built with three racetracks, having lengths of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), 1,600 m (5,200 ft), and 2,400 m (7,900 ft), but the longest track was removed to make space for an indoor riding hall after the 1987 Summer Universiade. A space for steeplechase races is located in the inside area of the smallest track.[1]
Zagreb Hippodrome has been managed by the Zagreb Equestrian Club (Konjički klub Zagreb) since 1952.[1] The most important event at the Hippodrome is the yearly International June Tournament (Lipanjski turnir), which has been held since 1955.[3][4] The venue has been criticised for bad management and track maintenance, and small horse stalls which do not satisfy today's health and safety requirements.[2] The stables hold around 160 horses.[5]
The street where the venue is located was renamed in honour of Radoslav Cimerman, a Croatian horse riding champion who fell from his horse and died in 1974 while training at the Zagreb Hippodrome.[6] In 1994, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome, which was attended by a million people. Pope Benedict XVI also celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome in 2011.[7][8] The Hippodrome also saw use as a concert venue, hosting Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Red Hot Chili Peppers[9] and Metallica.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Hipodrom Zagreb". City of Zagreb (in Croatian). Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ a b Cigoj, Mark (16 July 2017). "PROPAST ZAGREBAČKOG HIPODROMA 'Ovo je groblje za konje! Smeće i gnojivo se gomilaju, derby otkazan, uzgajivači odvode konje u inozemstvo..." Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Zagreb. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ "Konjički šport". Croatian Encyclopedia (in Croatian). Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Horvat, Karmen (6 June 2008). "PHOTO: Elite Of Croatian Riding At Tournament". Dalje.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Kožul, Dijana (15 May 2012). "Oronuli hipodrom opasan je za konje". Večernji list (in Croatian). Zagreb. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Kći konjičkog šampiona nudi imanje za spas lipicanaca". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 3 August 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Pavičić, Darko (18 December 2010). "I papa Benedikt XVI. misu će služiti na zagrebačkom hipodromu". Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Papa Benedikt XVI na Hipodromu okupio tri puta manje ljudi nego Ivan Pavao II". Index.hr (in Croatian). 5 June 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Bunjevac, Lana (29 August 2012). "FOTO Red Hot Chili Pepperse se isplatilo toliko čekati: 35 tisuća oduševljenih na Hipodromu! Na bisu su se Peppersima pridružili 2Cellos i odsvirali 'Californication'". Jutarnji list. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Metallica na Hipodromu oduševila 30.000 obožavatelja". Večernji list (in Croatian). 16 May 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
External links[edit]
- International June Tournament official website (in Croatian)
- Zagreb Equestrian Association (in Croatian)