Ministry offers no alternative space, and return after renovation is not guaranteed. The Alliance of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists has been in the building since 1953.
The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property has requested that the Alliance of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists of the Republic of Croatia (SABA RH) vacate the building at 16 Hatzova Street in Zagreb by September 1. The reason is the comprehensive renovation of the building, which was severely damaged in the 2020 earthquake, and the anti-fascists have been housed there since 1953.
The decision for a comprehensive renovation was made in February this year and will involve complex structural repairs. As early as November 2025, a tunnel scaffold was erected in front of the building to protect passersby. In early 2026, experts inspected the property and found severe damage to the roof, load-bearing walls, and beams, recommending a full renovation.
"The public procurement procedure is currently being prepared, which will cover the development of project documentation and the execution of renovation works, and an agreement has been reached with the current users to vacate the building by September 1," the Ministry responded to Hina. The Ministry did not answer questions about the start and end of the works, the estimated value of the renovation, or whether the Alliance was offered alternative space.
Franjo Habulin, president of SABA, confirmed that they received the eviction notice in mid-April. The Alliance has informed all anti-fascist organizations operating in the building: the Community of Associations of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists of Zagreb County and the City of Zagreb, the Association of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists "Jug" Zagreb, the Association of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists of the Centar-Zagreb area, the Zagreb Anti-Fascist Women's Network (MAZ), and the Federation of Societies "Josip Broz Tito" of Croatia.
Habulin emphasized that the state has not offered them a replacement property. Particularly concerning is the wording in the Ministry's letter, which asks users "to vacate the property of persons and things and hand it over to the Ministry for the purpose of carrying out the comprehensive renovation procedure." Although it states that "the Ministry will fully finance the comprehensive renovation procedure," there is no explicit mention of the anti-fascists returning to the building after the works are completed.
"What is in question and what we still need to see is how we can return here once the adaptation is finished, and about which we still need to talk with the Ministry. We have no paper and no guarantee," Habulin stated.
An additional problem is the relocation of the anti-fascists' property, including furniture, a library, and artworks valued at around 50,000 euros, for which it is difficult to find adequate alternative space. Part of the inventory could be moved to the neighboring building, formerly owned by the Alliance of War and Military Invalids of Croatia (SRVIH), which is in liquidation.
The building at 16 Hatzova Street was constructed in 1891 at the expense of Austrian nobleman Julije pl. Zigeuner Blumendorfski, also known as "Baron Ciganin." In 1894, it came into the ownership of the Ehrlich family and was the headquarters of the construction company "Adolf and Ernest Ehrlich" until World War II. The renowned Zagreb architect Hugo Ehrlich had his studio there for a short time. After 1945, the building became socially owned, and after 1996, state-owned. Today, it is a protected cultural property with a total area of about 780 square meters, and its value is estimated at several million euros.
Habulin also commented on the possibility of the Alliance seeking help from Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević in finding alternative space. He recalled Tomašević's words at the ceremonial academy marking Victory over Fascism Day: "Zagreb was an unconquered city, Zagreb is an unconquered city, and Zagreb will be an unconquered city." "We could give him the opportunity to prove it," Habulin said.
In its letter, the Ministry also stated that it "does not manage any property that could be given for use to the users of the said property for the purposes of their registered activities."
