The main square in Zagreb was initially named Harmica, representing the Hungarian name for customs duties. At what was then Harmica, on September 19th, 1866. the statue was placed and the square was renamed in Ban Jelacic Square. The statue is the work of Austrian sculptor Anton Dominik Fernkorn. Originally, the statue of Ban was facing the north. North was chosen because of the direction of Hungary in relation to Croatia, in honor of Ban Jelačić who strangled the Hungarian revolution in 1848.
During the Yugoslav authorities Jelačić was declared as 'servant of foreign interests " and in 1947. his statue was removed. The square was called the Square of the Republic for 43 years. In 1990. returned to the name of Ban Josip Jelacic Square. Same year, a ceremony was held to restore the statue, facing south as it is still positioned.
The eastern side of the square is adorned with a fountain known as Manduševac or Mandušin well. Legend says that Zagreb was named after the beautiful Manduša who grabbed the water from the well, and gave it to the soldiers passing by this area.
Ban Jelacic Square
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