The Croatian light calvary within the French Royal Army was known for great heroism and military skills throughout the thirty year war in the 17th century (1618-48) , but also stood out with a 'fashion' detail– a picturesque scarf tied around their necks. This scarf ties in a knot was named after the ethnic name of the Croats (old German Krabatten or old French Cravattes) – cravat. In 1664. a Croatian regiment called Royal Cravattes was formed in the units of the French Royal Army. Almost four centuries later, in the old part of Zagreb, tourists can witness the changing of the guards of the Royal Cravattes, a unit inspired by the famous Croatian historical regiment.

Every changing of the guards starts with an attractive ceremony of preparation of the guards and arms inspection. 12 soldiers participate in the ceremony and display their scarfs, later known as cravats worn four hundred years ago. The guards are located at three attractive tourist locations – at St. Mark's Square, Ban Josip Jelačić Square and at the statue of Our Lady at Kaptol. With this project Zagreb aims to promote itself as the capital of the cravat, with the wish that this extraordinary cultural and historical value becomes an attraction for all visitors of the Croatian capital, the homeland of the cravat.


The Tourist Board of Zagreb
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr