Soon after the Diocese of Zagreb was established (around 1094 A.D.) the construction of the cathedral in transitional Romanesque -Gothic style began. the construction of the cathedral lasted for a very long time and it was not completed and dedicated until 1217A.D. Shortly after, in 1242 A.D., the cathedral was severely damaged in the Tatar invasion.

Pope John Paul II beatified him on October 3, 1998 in Marija Bistrica. Stepinac was buried in the tomb of Zagreb’s archbishops behind the main altar of the Zagreb Cathedral.

Marija Bistrica, the most known Croatian shrine of St. Mary, situated on the northern slopes of Medvednica some 40 km northeast of Croatia's capital Zagreb, has been the central place of worship of the Croatian people for centuries.