For centuries the capital city of Dalmatia, Zadar is now the centre of the region. It’s rich heritage of world importance is visible on every step: ...
...the Roman Forum, dating from the 1st century AD, St Donatus’ Church (crkva sv. Donata), built in the 9th century AD, which is the most famous medieval basilica and the very symbol of the city, there is the St Mary's bell tower (zvonik sv. Marije), built in 1105, many palaces, villas and other great sights.
Croatian coastline is 1200 km long and is the most indented coast of all the Mediterranean. Off the coast of Zadar are four groups of islands, consisting of larger ones like Pag, Dugi Otok, Ugljan and Pasman and smaller ones like Silba, Molat, Olib, Premuda, Iz, Vrgada and Sestrunj.
Its appeal is due greatly to its fabulous position in the very middle of the Adriatic coast, surrounded by the four National Parks: the Plitvica Lakes, the Paklenica Mountain, the unique waterfalls of the River Krka and a group of beautiful islands called Kornati. No less attractive are the Nature Parks of Telascica, the canyon of the River Zrmanja and the largest natural lake in Croatia – the Lake Vrana in the vicinity of Biograd. The central Zadar Riviera is easily accessible from all directions and by all means of transport.
The City of Zadar is not only known for its historical and cultural sights but also for its well supplied City Market (Pijaca) and fish market on the peninsula (a part of the old city). The market is daily supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables, and judging by the variety of offered goods, Zadar’s market is one of the biggest and best in all of Croatia. It is a place not only frequented for supplies, but also for the sheer enjoyment of the bustle, the colourful displays of fruits and vegetables and the haggle with the local women merchants.
In close vicinity of the “green market” is a fish market, with an astounding offer of fish and seafood, as well as of salted sardines sold per piece. The fish market is situated near the waterfront, where the brightly coloured fishing boats of all sizes crowd in the morning.
One of the newest attractions is the magnificent Sea Organ placed on the city’s shore and is the world’s first musical pipe organs played by the sea. The elegant steps, carved in white stone, were built in 2005 and underneath, there are 35 musically tuned tubes with whistle openings on the sidewalk. The movement of the sea pushes air through, and – depending on the size and velocity of the wave – musical chords are played. The waves create random harmonic sounds.
WHAT TO SEE Take a walk through the old city and enjoy the historical sights such as the St Anastasia's Cathedral (katedrala sv. Stošije), dating from the 13th century AD, the City Sentinel (Gradska straža), dating from the 16th century AD, as well as the mighty City Walls (Gradski bedemi) with Land Gates (Kopnena vrata) and Harbour Gates (Lučka vrata), also dating from the 16th century, followed by the Three and Five Wells Squares (Trg 3 bunara, Trg 5 bunara). Visit the marketplace and the selection of healthy goods of a busy seaport town.
WHEN TO GO Zadar is a typical Mediterranean sea town with the best times to visit from April to October.
