Hina - The government on Thursday granted properties to the Zagreb Archdiocese to settle ownership issues tied to the planned Maksimir stadium, with construction expected to start in 2028 and finish by 2031.
The state transferred four sites, with one remaining to be resolved, enabling a joint government-City of Zagreb commission to proceed with an international design tender for the stadium, to be co-financed equally by the state and the city, Physical Planning Minister Branko Bačić said. The tender was launched six days ago and is due to conclude in July, with demolition of the existing stadium planned next year.
The properties, six plots worth €2.5 million, were purchased by the state from private owners.
Under agreements with the Archdiocese and the City of Zagreb, the Church withdrew claims for restitution of the stadium land, while the state committed to acquiring and transferring land at 10 locations to the Archdiocese, and the city to designate them for religious use. One additional property remains under negotiation.
The government also launched the process to draft a national sports development plan for 2027-2034.
It backed construction of a veterans’ centre in Senj on state-owned land subject to a restitution claim by the Gospić-Senj diocese, tasking the state assets ministry to complete the transfer within six months. The value of such properties will be offset against state obligations to the Catholic Church for assets confiscated during the Yugoslav era.
Four veterans’ centres are already operating, serving more than 10,500 users in 2025, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Tomo Medved said.
The Senj centre is part of an EU co-financed project, with a grant agreement signed in May 2025.
The government also approved the launch of EU funding procedures for flood protection in the Karlovac-Sisak area, with up to €204 million in additional funding. The total project is valued at €226.8 million, including €192.7 million from the European Regional Development Fund and €34 million from Croatian Waters.
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