Zadar (Croatia) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Zadar with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City Zadar (Croatia)
Zadar is a city in Croatia located in Northern Dalmatia. Known for its historic center with magnificent medieval churches and roman ruins. Zadar is the heart of the Adriatic and the museum under the open sky, where heritage is frozen in the old streets Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Wonder what city is one of the most beautiful and oldest in Croatia, but it does not spoiled by the attention of tourists despite the abundance attractions and cultural monuments, as is a bit away from the popular resorts of Southern Dalmatia.
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Zadar is located in the north of the historic region of Dalmatia in center of the Croatian Adriatic. Old Town is on the peninsula (Cape), which was previously separated from the mainland by a moat. Zadar is located on the border of the humid subtropical and Mediterranean climate. Summer is warm with average temperature 23-25 degrees. Winters are mild and humid with an average temperature of 8-10 degrees Most precipitation falls from September to December.
Zadar Old Town
Best time to visit
The period from May to September. High season – July and August. In that period the temperature of the day is about 30-32 degrees, and the sea is warming up to 24-26 degrees.
Practical information
- The population is more than 75 thousand people.
- The area is 25 square kilometers.
- The language is Croatian.
- Currency – Kuna.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
Zadar
Zadar beaches
The surroundings of Zadar are known for their crystal clear waters, many small islands and beautiful natural sandy beaches.
- Borik is a beautiful beach 4 km from the city, which occupies bay with a shallow and sandy bottom.
- Kolovare – traditional city beach to the east from the historical center of Zadar.
- Diklo – pebble beaches of a prestigious summer resort, located northwest of the old part of Zadar.
- Vitrenjak – the beach near the sailing club Uskok.
Story
The settlement on the site of modern Zadar existed long before the coming of the Romans. The city is constantly inhabited for almost three thousands of years. In the 9th century BC, the Illyrians lived here. In the 1st century before AD Dalmatia was conquered by the Roman Empire. In the 5th century after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire the city was attacked ready, Lombards. In the 7th century, Slavs came to these lands. About At the same time, the territory of Dalmatia was conquered by Byzantium, in which Zadar became the capital of the province. At the beginning of the 9th century, Zadar was briefly captured by the Franks, and at the beginning of the 11th century – by Venice.
Historical Center Zadar
In 1069, Zadar became part of the Croatian Kingdom. B 1105 year the city recognized the power of the Hungarian-Croatian throne, but gained wide autonomy. After that, Zadar was involved in confrontation of Venice and Byzantium over the Adriatic. Venetians believed The city is one of the key points for its trade routes. In the 12th century Venice submits to Zadar, but citizen uprisings and help the Hungarian-Croatian king frees him from the Venetians. In 1202 year the city was taken and plundered by the crusaders, which sent venetian doge In 1216 the Hungarian-Croatian state refused Zadar, who became part of the Venetian of the republic.
In the middle of the 14th century, Dalmatia was conquered by the king of Hungary. Louis the Great. But in 1409, Venice regained control of by region. Vladislav Durazzo sold her all Dalmatia for 100 thousand ducats. The Republic of Venice possessed Zadar throughout four centuries. In 1396 a university was founded, which is one of the oldest in Europe. In the 16th century, Zadar began to play key role in the fight against the Ottoman Empire. Here they began to build powerful fortifications.
Old city
In 1797 the city was annexed to Austria. Habsburg owned Dalmatia before the First World War. After the region was occupied Italy and entered into its composition. During World War II 80% The old city was damaged during the bombing. In 1947 Zadar became part of Yugoslavia, and in 1991, Croatia.
How to get there
Zadar Airport has a message (most flights are seasonal) with London, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Dublin, Brussels and some other cities. From the airport to center buses go. Ticket price 25 kuna (2018).
In Zadar, there is a railway station, but the number of directions as their popularity is small. There are direct buses to Zadar from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, some Italian cities and Germany.
Shopping and shopping
Large shopping centers Zadar:
- Бутик MAR&VAL на Don Ive Prodana 3 – известный магазин, вwhich sells things Croatian designers.
- Supernova is a large shopping center with 75 stores. Located at the entrance to the city from the highway A-1.
- City Galeria on Polačišće 2 – modern shopping and entertainment center with stores of famous brands.
Popular souvenirs:
- Maraschino – the original liqueur.
- Replicas of ancient glass and archaeological objects artifacts.
- Barkajol – ceramic figures of famous Zadar boats.
- Products from local lavender.
Food and drink
In the old town there are many excellent inexpensive pizzerias, and in the harbor area you can find many excellent restaurants with delicious Croatian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Sunset over zadar
Traditional dishes:
- Kroštule – pastries.
- Janjetina na ražnju – baked lamb, one of the most typical and delicious dishes in Northern Dalmatia.
- ŠALŠA – traditional sauce in olive oil.
- KOKOSŠJI TINGULET – chicken with white wine.
- LEŠO Janjetina – lamb with sesame.
- FRIGANI INĆUNI – fried anchovies.
- TUNJ NA KALJSKI – tuna roasted in olive oil.
- ČIČVARDA – dish with beans.
- RIBARSKI BRUDET – a national dish of several kinds fish.
sights
There is something to see and do in Zadar – it’s amazing place with interesting ancient sights and monuments culture. Old Town is located on the tip of a narrow peninsula. and is surrounded by city walls with towers and city gates.
Old city
The oldest sections of the city fortifications were built by the Romans and are near the pedestrian bridge along the east walls. The remaining walls were built by the Venetians. Urban the fortifications of old Zadar have been preserved by our time four city gate. The most impressive are the Earthen Gate. it magnificent structure built in the Renaissance style in 1543 year the Venetians and was the main entrance to the city.
Earthworks goal
Earthen gates were built on the foundations of an ancient Roman arches. The facade is decorated with a bas-relief of a Venetian lion, coats of arms and two commemorative inscriptions. Other gates are located on the square of five wells and near the port.
Port gate
Port gates were built in the 16th century and served as north entrance to the city.
Area of five wells and the captain’s tower
Of the city towers the most ancient and significant is the tower Captain It was built in the 13th century and is located on charming area of five wells that were used before for water supply of the city.
Forum
The forum is one of the oldest places in Zadar. This Roman square was built between the first century BC and the third century AD Roman heritage is preserved in the form of the foundations of several public buildings, an ancient road and remnants of Corinthian columns. The Zadar Forum is one of the largest in the Adriatic. He has sizes 90 by 45 meters. On the south side is the monumental the basilica, in the west were the Roman temples to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. AT the late antiquity period the core of the forum turned into a developed Episcopal complex with a basilica and extensions. In the middle Ages most of the roman buildings were destroyed and here was formed spacious area. By the preserved column until the 19th century were chained criminals.
People’s Square
People’s Square was the center of Zadar’s social life. since its inception in the 16th century. In the western part is located Old Town Guards House (Gradska Straza), built in the mid 1500s. The clock tower was added in the 18th century. Opposite the tower is the city lodge (Gradska Loza), built in 1565 in the style of the late Renaissance. Also here there is a well-preserved Romanesque church. And in the east parts of the square have a 15th century Romanesque building in style Renaissance.
Kalelarga
Kalelarga (Kalelarga) – the main street of Zadar. Was formed More Romans and connect the Earthen Gate with the forum. Most of streets and surrounding architecture were damaged during bombing of World War II.
Embankment
The promenade is a great place for walks along the Adriatic. seas. It is believed that here you can look at one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic. The embankment was built in the 19th century, when most of the city wall was destroyed and built numerous palaces and docks. Most of the buildings were destroyed. during the bombing and replaced by green pleasures.
Marine organ
Sea organ – one of the most popular art structures in Croatia, which, in essence, represents giant musical instrument playing under the action of waves. It consists of a series of underwater tubes under the marble steps that just create sounds. This interesting facility is located in western part of the waterfront. The marine organ was built in 2005.
Greetings to the Sun
Nearby is an impressive circular installation. “Greetings to the Sun”, consisting of 300 laminated glass plates and solar cells that glow at night and create interesting entourage to the sounds of the marine organ.
Sacred architecture of Zadar
The old city of Zadar is famous for its many magnificent ancient churches.
Church of sv. Anastasia
Zadarsky cathedral of sv. Anastasia – the largest church in Dalmatia. This ancient temple was built in the ninth century by the Byzantines (and maybe even earlier in the 4-5 century) and rebuilt in the 12-13 centuries in the Romanesque style. It is a three-nave basilica with three portals and numerous blind arches. The main portal has a beautiful Gothic relief. At the top of the facade are two windows in rose style. Among the interesting features of the interior – the power of the holy Anastasia of the 9th century, stone altars and impressive wooden carved choir. The beautiful bell tower was added in the 15th century. Upper levels were added in the 19th century. The bell tower can be climbed and look at the beautiful view of Zadar.
Church of sv. Donata
Church of sv. Donat is a symbol of Zadar, the most famous the monumental building of the city from the Middle Ages and one of the largest examples of Byzantine architecture in Dalmatia. Was built at 9 century. The church was originally named after the Holy Trinity, but was later devoted to Bishop Donat. Because of its distinctive cylindrical shape and monumentality this building belongs to The most famous and most significant European pre-Romanesque churches. The style of the cathedral from the early Christian to the architecture of the era Carolingian. The temple is built on the ruins of an ancient Roman forum, and in Its construction used fragments of ancient buildings. Floors inside the church were dismantled to show the original stonework offline.
Church of sv. Chrisogon
Church of sv. Hrizogona (Krshevana) – Romanesque church, built on the site of an old roman market in the 12th century Benedictine monks. Dedicated to St. Krshevan – patron Zadar. The building was part of an ancient monastery, destroyed in World War II. Interior of this gorgeous old the three-nave church includes the main baroque altar, dating from the beginning of the 1700s, as well as an apse containing a number well preserved frescoes of the 13th century. The main portal is decorated semicircular lute and triangular pediment above it. Side wall It has a long series of blind arches leaning on twisted pillars. A particularly valuable element of architecture is the external gallery on the main the apse. The bell tower began to be built in 1485.
Church of sv. Franier
Church of sv. Franiere – the oldest Gothic church of Dalmatia, built in the 13th century. Is part of the ancient Franciscan monastery of the same century. The building has a single-nave structure and Renaissance style interior. The bell tower was built in the 19th century. on the foundation of an earlier structure.
Church of sv. Andria and petara
Church of sv. Andria and Petara is a small one-nave church with the simple facade of the 17th century and the remains of the Byzantine frescoes of the 12th century. The southern side wall and apse were built in the 5th century.
Church of sv. Ilya
Church of sv. Elias – Orthodox Church, built in the 16th century on the site of an earlier Christian building for the Greek merchants and sailors.
Church of sv. Mary’s
Church of sv. Mary is located on the east side of the Roman forum. This small church was part of the female Benedictine monastery of the 11th century.
Church of sv. Shime
Church of sv. Shime – early Christian three-nave church of the 5th century. Throughout its history, rebuilt several times. On The main altar is the famous silver chest.
Church of sv. Michael
Church of sv. Mihaila – a 12th century gothic building with a beautiful gothic portal. The church is a collection of works art.
Video
Maps and guides
Map of the historic center of the city map
