Špansko


Špansko is a neighbourhood in the western part of Zagreb. It has about 24,000 inhabitants. It belongs to Stenjevec district.
Špansko is divided into two parts – Špansko-sjever and Špansko-jug – by Antun Šoljan Street.
There are two Catholic parishes in Špansko: parish of Blessed Virgin Mary and Ivan Merz.
Postal code of the neighbourhood is 10090.

Ethymology

The name Špansko derives from the word špan, that in Duchy of Pannonian Croatia and later during the Croatian history noted nobleman's or municipal tax-collector among serfs. Word is of Croatian origin, but was modified by both Hungarian and Croatian language. Špansko is administrative area of a certain špan, his tax-collecting area.
The first known toponym of Špansko is Lonka, which was later modified into Lonka Superior. The first mention of the "Špansko" is Lwka Špani toponym from the year of 1598.

Population

Špansko is the most populated neighbourhood in Zagreb. Moreover, Ante Kovačić Elementary school has the greatest number of pupils in Zagreb.

Culture

Špansko is known as a "neigbourhood of Croatian poets and warriors" due to its street naming, dominantly by poets and writers, as well as Croatian brigades from Homeland War. Špansko has three elementary schools, two of which are named by noted Croatian writers. Central square in the neighbourhood is named after Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski with the Park of the Croatian volunteers of the Homeland War.
Ivanka Brađašević worked as a librarian in the Ante Kovačić Elementary school.
There are two public libraries, each in the one of the two local councils.

Sport

Špansko is famous for its football club NK Špansko, which was very successful in the 1980s and 1990s.
Famous Coatian female handball player Klaudija Bubalo attended Ante Kovačić Elementary school, where she started playing handball at physical education classes. Vedran Zrnić attended the same school as well.

Literature