[3] At that time, Karlovac was part of the Croatian Military Frontier under the rule of the Austrian Empire.

In early 2010 the gymnasium was accepted as the 37th member of the German global school network in Croatia.

In his 1919 autobiography My Inventions he wrote that demonstrations by his "professor of physics" sparked his interest in this "mysterious phenomena" and made him want "to know more of this wonderful force".

[5][6] Stricken with malaria shortly after his arrival in the mosquito-infested swampy lowlands of Karlovac, he was bedridden at times and often took his school books home to read and memorize when he was unable to attend class.

[7][8] Other notable alumni include actress Zrinka Cvitešić,[9] poet and writer Ivan Goran Kovačić,[10] politician and founder of the Croatian Peasant Party Stjepan Radić[11] and explorers and brothers Mirko and Stjepan Seljan.