History and attractions of Zadar

Idassa, Jadera, Diadora, Zara and finally Zadar - so differently during its turbulent history, this Croatian seaside city, which today has 80,000 inhabitants. Many times Zadar has been destroyed, but like the Phoenix bird, it has been reborn again and again. Thus, different cultural layers in the appearance of the city, which for centuries was the capital of Dalmatia.

A visit to Zadar is worthwhile if only for a walk through the area of the Old Town and to buy a bottle of the famous Dalmatian cherry liqueur Maraskine, which is produced here. There aren't many yachtsmen who wouldn't want to try Maraskine.

The remains of Roman buildings, medieval city walls, cathedrals and palaces make the former capital of Dalmatia Zadar an open-air museum. The old town, which is open only for walkers, attracts tourists at any time of the year. From the Yacht Marina Zadar Tankerkomerc to the old town is only a 10 minute walk.

Zadar was founded by the Romans in the first century BC. Already in the VI century, after the destruction of the capital of Dalmatia, Salona, it became a regional center. From VII to XII century the city was alternately owned by the Byzantines, the Franks and finally the Croatians. At the beginning of XII century Zadar became under the patronage of the Hungarian kings who had to constantly fight over it with Venice. In 1202, the Venetians tricked the crusaders into attacking the city, and after a six-month siege, Zadar was captured and plundered. Since XV century the city, like the other Dalmatia, is under the Venetian rule, but retains its internal autonomy. In the XVI century. the Turks came almost close to its walls.

From the end of the eighteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century Dalmatia was owned by the Austrian Empire. From 1920 the city actually belonged to Italy and only in 1947 was officially returned to Croatia.

Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan monastery was built in 1221.

The monastery with its rich history has always been the center of the spiritual life of the city. At the monastery there was a university, a rich collection of paintings, manuscripts and parchments. The church of St. Francis is considered to be the oldest Gothic church in Dalmatia.

The Cathedral of St. Anastasia

The Cathedral of St. Anastasia is located in the center of the city, it was built on the site of an early Christian basilica of the 4th century.

The cathedral received its name in honor of Saint Anastasia Сomforter, whose relics were received by the local bishop as a gift from the Byzantine emperor Nicephorus I in the 9th century. The reliquary, in which the relics of the saint are kept, is the main sacred thing of the cathedral, it is made in the Baroque style. Also valuable from a historical and cultural point of view are the 13th century frescoes preserved in the side apses of the cathedral.

Church of St. Donatus

It is a three-apsed domed rotunda church with a layout similar to that of the Carolingian churches.

The church reaches a height of 27 meters and a width of 22 meters. Today, the church is not used for religious purposes. From 1893 to 1954, it was an archaeological museum. Thanks to the acoustic characteristics of the building, musical performances and concerts of medieval and Renaissance music were held here for several decades as part of the international festival Musical Nights.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Zadar is known worldwide for its unique exhibition.

The first floor displays archaeological finds dating from the 7th-12th centuries. Most of them testify to the high spiritual and well-developed material culture of the Croatians. The second floor is dedicated to the underwater archaeological department and objects from the Roman period. On the third floor there is an exhibition dedicated to the prehistoric archaeological materials, belonging to the Stone and Bronze age.

Narodni trg

Narodni trg (People's Square) was built in the Middle Ages and was the center of city life: it was the location of the city administration.

Throughout the ages, the square has changed its name and appearance.

City Gate

The City Gate is a symbol of the former domination of Venice.

From this gate, located near the waterfront, begins the area of the Old Town. In 1543, the architect Sanmichele from Verona built a gate that combines elements of Roman architecture with the Venetian style. The gate has three entrances: a central arch and side entrances, each about 3 meters high. Above the central entrance there is an image of a winged lion - the symbol of the Venetian Republic, and above the side entrances there are coats of arms of Zadar.

Sun Salutation

Sun Salutation is a light installation located in one of the city's ports.

The installation consists of three hundred multi-layered glass plates that can store the energy of the sun. The plates are fixed on a circle 22 meters in diameter. Large and small circles represent a model of the solar system.

Sea Organ

The Sea Organ is a sound system of 35 polyethylene pipes of different lengths and diameters, arranged at different angles.

The sea organ is a system of 35 organ-like pipes located under the steps of the city's waterfront, with sound outlets on the sidewalk. The pipes are fixed under the steps of the embankment, and the outlets lead the sound directly to the sidewalk. The force of seawater pushes air through these pipes, which produces a combination of unusual sounds of varying lengths and strength. Overall, it resembles the sound of many wind instruments. Musical instrument this structure can be called conventionally, since it excludes the participation of man (the musician-performer).