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Zadar"A Microcosm of Croatia’s History"
3,000 YEARS OLD
Zadar is the Croatian city you visit when you want to see an amazing amount of diverse historical influences packed into one small area.
Located in the very centre of the Croatian Adriatic in the most indented part of the Adriatic archipelago, Zadar’s history dates back 3,000 turbulent years. Illyrians, Romans, Ostrogoths, Avars, Slavs, Venetians, Turks, Crusaders and the French; all have left their mark here. Zadar is famous for the establishment of the first Croatian university (1396), the writing of the first Croatian novel (1536) and the publication of the first Croatian newspaper.
CITY WALLS
The town is fortified with thick walls which date back to the sixteenth century.
The walls encircle the Square of Three Wells, the Square of Five Wells, the Municipal Loggia, the Municipal Guard Tower and many palaces that slumber under the protection of the town's four patron saints: St. Simon, St. Anastasia, St. Chrysogonus and St. Zoilus.
FAMOUS SITES
The pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus (9th century), is Zadar's most famous site and symbol of the city. Its circular shape is typical of the early Byzantine age in Dalmatia. Religious services are no longer held here, but the stark interior has excellent acoustics and is used as the concert venue for the annual International Festival of Medieval Renaissance Music, also known as “The Musical Evenings in St Donatus’”.
The town is also renowned for having the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Croatia, such as St. Stosija's Cathedral (13th C) which has floor mosaics dating from the 5th century, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia (13th century), the Church of St. Chrysogonus (12th century) and the Bell-tower of St. Mary (1105).
Also in the city you’ll find the Monastery of St. Francis which is the oldest gothic-style church in Dalmatia.
If you want to see "the smallest cathedral in the world" take a trip to the nearby town Nin and visit the Little Church of St. Kriz (9th C). While you’re there check out the Temple to the goddess Diana.
CITY MARKET (Pijaca)
Zadar's open air market has been around since the Middle Ages and is one of the biggest and best markets in Croatia. Here you’ll find stalls filled with mouthwatering displays of fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs and little old ladies selling home made olive oil, rakija and cheese.
There’s also a meat market, a fish market and stalls offering cheap clothes.
Hours: 6:00 am-1:00pm
ISLANDS & NATIONAL PARKS
Also in the in region are the Nature Parks Telascica (a bay on the Island of Dugi Otok) and Lake Vrana (the largest natural lake in Croatia).
All can be reached within an hour or two by car or boat.
Just offshore you can sail to the larger islands of Pag, Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pašman and the smaller islands of Silba, Molat, Olib, Premuda, Iž, Vrgada, Sestrunj.
Telascica is considered one of the largest and most beautiful natural harbors in Croatia making it a favorite destination and safe haven for wandering boaters and sailors.
Getting to Zadar
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