VIDEO: These are the reasons why work on Dolac will not begin before 2027

Renovation work at Zagreb's Dolac Market, a central gathering place known for its open-air stalls, will not commence until the latter half of 2027, according to city officials. The project, which addresses earthquake damage that manifested years after the initial tremors, is proving to be a complex undertaking. Dunja Mazzocco Drvar, head of the City Office for Economy, Ecological Sustainability, and Strategic Planning, explained that the process is currently in the documentation phase, with a public call for the project expected within months, followed by construction. The market's location within protected zone A necessitates adherence to strict conservation guidelines and the creation of detailed conservator documentation. This layered approach, involving design and then construction, has extended the timeline beyond initial expectations. Mazzocco Drvar noted that the intricate nature of the project, encompassing not only the upper market area but also the lower sections, contributes to the prolonged schedule. The initial step involved creating a structural analysis report, followed by the ongoing development of comprehensive project documentation for the entire renovation. The city is navigating regulatory requirements, including those from the Law on Reconstruction, to ensure the market's preservation and modernization.

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Now we are actually in the phase of drafting the documentation, and in a few months, we will announce the public call for the project, and after that, we will proceed to construction.

The delay means that the beloved "kumice", the traditional female vendors, will continue to operate from temporary locations for several more years. The market, a significant cultural and economic hub, requires extensive work to ensure its structural integrity and safety, especially given its historical significance and the damage sustained from seismic activity. The city aims to balance the need for modernization with the preservation of Dolac's unique character and heritage. The process is being managed meticulously to meet all legal and conservation standards, even as it pushes back the anticipated completion date.

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Dolac is quite complex considering that it is damage that occurred during the earthquake, and then manifested only a few years later. We had to follow all the regulations from the Law on Reconstruction.