On top of the old Grič hill, like a hero, beautiful and young, with a bold head, a hard forehead, the famous city of Zagreb stands..." By writing these verses, August Šenoa became the author of one of the most recognizable representations of Zagreb. Gradec is located on the aforementioned Grič hill , whose panorama is dominated by one of Zagreb's most famous buildings - the Lotrščak tower . It is a defensive tower built in 1266 along with other towers and walls that surrounded Gradec. After the Golden Bull of Bela IV from 1242. Gradec was declared a free royal city, its citizens were obliged to build a defense system, and the Lotrščak tower, which was originally lower than today, was built next to Dverce , a small entrance gate to the city from the south side that was demolished in 1812.

The Lotrščak tower is best known for its Grič cannon, which is located on the top floor of the tower below the observation deck. Since New Year's Day 1877, the Greek cannon has been firing every day exactly at noon , and the bell ringers of all the city's churches are aligned with it. The cannon was not sounded only during the First World War until 1927, and did not fire from the end of December 2020, when Petrinja and its surroundings were hit by a devastating earthquake, until February 14, 2022, when it started firing again every day. Although the cannon marks noon since the 19th century, there is a legend that says that the cannon arrived in the tower in the 16th century. At that time, the Turks were still ravaging Croatia, occupying Sisak and plundering the surrounding area. The Turks were led by Hasan Paša Predojević, who wanted to cross the Sava and conquer Zagreb. However, unfortunately for him, the people of Zagreb prepared very well. One day when the Pasha was enjoying his tent and preparing for lunch, a thunderous noise echoed in the distance. Soon a cannonball flew by and hit the rooster that was being served to the pasture for lunch. The Grič cannon destroyed the Turkish tents and forced the Pasha and his army to flee. Zagreb was thus saved, and the Turks never ruled it.

Read more:

• Lotrščak tower
• Dubravko Horvatić, Grički top