The Well of Life
The Well of Life
4
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4.0
139 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
70
Average
16
Poor
1
Terrible
0
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
May 2023
This sculpture consists of a circular pool surrounded by a bronze frieze of intertwined nude figures from children to the elderly and loving couples. A very sensual work of art.
Written 19 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MBB1952
Surfers Paradise, Australia10,585 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
The Well of Life ( Zedenac Zivota ) stands in front of the Croatian National Theatre in Marshall Tito's Square. The sculpture was made by Ivan Mestrovic 1950 and the figures represent stages of human life
Written 11 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheophaniaSeattle
Seattle, WA455 contributions
Ivan Meštrović is responsible for a lot of public art in Croatia and this was one of my favorites, located in Tito Square in lower town Zagreb. I think it's worth seeking out his art in these public contexts, rather than just going to a museum. You get a better sense of his importance to Croatian national identity.
Written 26 May 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoulTravel
California, USA3 contributions
I loved the implied symbolism of the Well of Life by Mestrovic: our dependence on water.
I also found out another interesting fact - that the well was designed / surrounded by a round wall in a way that it could not be easily seen from the street view. The reason why: the human figures positioned around the well are naked, so the wall was raised not to display their nudity to the people passing by on the street (but visible to ones who decided to approach it behind the wall!)
Very enchanting sculpture with great symbolic value. Definitely a Mestrovic masterpiece!
I also found out another interesting fact - that the well was designed / surrounded by a round wall in a way that it could not be easily seen from the street view. The reason why: the human figures positioned around the well are naked, so the wall was raised not to display their nudity to the people passing by on the street (but visible to ones who decided to approach it behind the wall!)
Very enchanting sculpture with great symbolic value. Definitely a Mestrovic masterpiece!
Written 11 July 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vinoplustravel
Zagreb264 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
If you're at the National Theatre then it's worth a look at this sculpture. It's by the famous Croatian artist Mestrović, so art-lovers & history buffs should enjoy it.
Written 11 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabrizio Terrazas
Lima, Peru751 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
In front of the Croatian National Theatre, this Mestrovic masterpiece is so realistic and beautiful. Once seated in the area around the "Well of life" you can appreciate both its beauty as well the Theatre richness facade. Walking around the Well and admiring the human being´s expressions was worth it.
As part of the recommended Lower city walking tour in Zagreb, this is a must for me.
As part of the recommended Lower city walking tour in Zagreb, this is a must for me.
Written 9 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,640 contributions
May 2023
The well of life is a lovely sculpture with a beautiful message of humanity and brotherhood that can be found near the National Theatre. The Well of Life cannot be seen from the street because it is in a depression. Therefore, a small search is necessary in advance.
The sculpture represents people (men, children and the elderly) who are about to get water from a well, huddling around each other, thus bringing a message of universal brotherhood. People's facial features express all sorts of emotions... from love to sorrow. The fountain invites you to linger and is also a popular place for locals to sit, read and chat in the evening.
It is a work that caught my attention and I would have just appreciated if there had been an explanatory plate with information about the work and the sculptor. So I researched the information as soon as I was able.
I learned that this sculpture is one of Ivan Meštrović's great masterpieces that depicts people in various phases of life that crouch and twist their bodies around a well which symbolizes life, youth, and the source of eternal beauty. The sculpture is circular with relief of ten naked figures, a child, love couple and the old man, life-size, that crouch and twist their bodies around a well which contains water.
The figures are watching their reflections in the water, while their bodies appear to have been frozen in motion. The figures are arranged so that they show to viewer the purpose of the well, i.e., desire for life and joy, which can be seen best in young characters who are hugging and kissing as opposed to the old man who is at the end of his life and looks with grief into the well, a symbol of life. The sculpture depicts man's natural cycle, from birth to death.
The Well of Life is more than a hundred years old, but owing to the humanity of its concept, it hasn’t aged a day.
The sculpture represents people (men, children and the elderly) who are about to get water from a well, huddling around each other, thus bringing a message of universal brotherhood. People's facial features express all sorts of emotions... from love to sorrow. The fountain invites you to linger and is also a popular place for locals to sit, read and chat in the evening.
It is a work that caught my attention and I would have just appreciated if there had been an explanatory plate with information about the work and the sculptor. So I researched the information as soon as I was able.
I learned that this sculpture is one of Ivan Meštrović's great masterpieces that depicts people in various phases of life that crouch and twist their bodies around a well which symbolizes life, youth, and the source of eternal beauty. The sculpture is circular with relief of ten naked figures, a child, love couple and the old man, life-size, that crouch and twist their bodies around a well which contains water.
The figures are watching their reflections in the water, while their bodies appear to have been frozen in motion. The figures are arranged so that they show to viewer the purpose of the well, i.e., desire for life and joy, which can be seen best in young characters who are hugging and kissing as opposed to the old man who is at the end of his life and looks with grief into the well, a symbol of life. The sculpture depicts man's natural cycle, from birth to death.
The Well of Life is more than a hundred years old, but owing to the humanity of its concept, it hasn’t aged a day.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,657 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Somewhat hard to find, but we looked around the National Theater and finally saw it. It's got a cool design, and the perfect name for it.
Written 14 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne E
Whangarei, New Zealand785 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
A great time out area for everyone. In the heat of the day it is a must to simply sit in this tranquil area
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AustraliaDebra
Melbourne, Australia113 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Located in front of the theatre, throw a coin in the well and make a wish. Little seating area around the well to sit and relax.
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
this was a monumental war statue; can't remember all the details on our 1 hr. bus tour of this gorgeous city! so much to view.
IF YOU ARE HANDICAPPED...WHEELCHAIR, USING WALKER, ETC., DON'T GO ON BUS TOUR; cobblestone & horrible driving conditions on our bladders!!!
Written 17 August 2019
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