Did you know that back in the late 19th and early 20th ct Zagreb was one of the leading European cities when it comes to numbers of brothels? It all started with the first public steam baths which opened in the mid 19th century in Zagreb.
In addition to caring for their health, the citizens of Zagreb had a great time at these baths. Inns and restaurants with diet food opened within the bath complexes, and a certain Mrs. Photo: ladylike. Prostitution was completely legal in Zagreb at the time. Croatia was part of Austria-Hungary and, allegedly, the Austrians told the city government: "As long as you pay taxes, we'll allow any and all activity.
The Zagreb mayor at the time decided to bring order to the 'oldest profession', and in the so-called Bawdyhouse rulebook was created. Its 31 articles dictated who could work at a bawdyhouse. In accordance with the rulebook, women over 17 could work there, while entrance was strictly forbidden for young men under Each of them was required to have an identity card with a photograph and see a doctor once a month for a medical examination.
According to records, a team of ten doctors was in charge of taking care of their health. If one of them was discovered doing the job illegally, she would be banished from the city. The bawdyhouse appearance was legally mandated as well - high fences and windows with opaque glass, in order to protect the visitors' privacy.
In addition to brothels, ladies of pleasure were available at certain bars as well, which had special booths with a bottle of champagne on the table. There were emancipated 'ladies of pleasure' as well, who became independent and opened trades at their own homes. She held a garden gnome on her window, which she would lay down if she was occupied, and set it upright if she was available. The angry women of Zagreb knew about this so they often threw rocks at it when they would walk past.
