This is the entrance to a fish market in Zagreb: piles of feces melt in the sun, customers are horrified

A customer entering a fish market in Zagreb’s Kvatrić area was met with a disturbing sight: layers of bird droppings lying in the sun, causing disgust among shoppers. A video shared with Jutarnji list shows the scene at the entrance of the fish market, which is located within the broader space of the Kvatrić Market. The footage captures the disconcerting condition of the overhead shelter, where a large accumulation of avian waste has gathered, and people pass underneath daily, entering and exiting the market. The fish market is not under the management of the Zagreb Market, despite its location within the public space commonly associated with it. According to officials from the Zagreb Market, the enclosed part of the market and the fish market belong to the Gorica Trade Center complex, which determines their operating hours. However, the tenants in this section, including the fish market, are not under lease with the Zagreb Market. This distinction highlights the complexity of jurisdiction and responsibility over the space. The issue lies at the intersection of public space, commercial activity, and shared areas within a residential-commercial building. It is precisely the question of authority that has contributed to the prolonged lack of a permanent solution. Cleaning efforts are sporadic, occurring roughly once a month, according to an anonymous source familiar with the situation. The cost of these cleanings is covered from the reserve funds of the property owners, who reside at Martićeva 67. This arrangement has led to disputes among the property owners, who argue that they should bear the responsibility for maintaining the area since it is part of their building. The anonymous source explained that the property owners resist using their reserve funds for cleaning, asserting that the space belongs to them and thus must be maintained by them. An earlier proposal suggested installing additional spikes to deter pigeons from gathering on the shelter and surrounding walls. This suggestion came from the City Housing and Municipal Management Office, but implementation is impossible without decisions from both the city representatives and the property owners. Some protective spikes have already been installed, though their effectiveness is limited. The source noted that when spikes are placed at one level, pigeons simply move to the upper levels, repeating the problem. Without representation from the property owners, there can be no decision regarding further interventions or funding for such work. Complicating matters further is the absence of a confirmed representative for the property owners. The process of selecting one is ongoing, and documentation from the city is still pending. Without an authorized representative, reaching consensus on new measures or financial commitments remains difficult. The source also pointed out that the root of the problem extends beyond the shelter itself. The entire Kvatrić area is home to a large population of pigeons, particularly the old Gorica building, which awaits demolition and has become a nesting ground for them. The issue is exacerbated by the feeding of birds on open spaces, which attracts not only pigeons but also other animals and pests. As a result, occasional cleaning of the shelter addresses only the visible effects of the problem. For customers passing beneath the contaminated structure, the question of jurisdiction holds little importance. They continue to enter the premises above, where the buildup of waste persists despite periodic cleaning. Until the property owners make a decision on additional protection and the city resolves issues related to nearby abandoned buildings, the scene captured in the video appears destined to repeat month after month.