Zadar Old Town

Zadar Old Town

Zadar Old Town is a compact Roman and medieval city on the northern Dalmatian coast of Croatia, built on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic, notable for its layered archaeological remains, Romanesque churches, and two famous contemporary installations.

History

Zadar was founded as the Roman colony Iader around the 1st century BC and served as the capital of Roman Dalmatia. The city prospered under Byzantine rule, becoming an important ecclesiastical centre, before passing to Croatian rulers and then Venice in 1409. Under Venetian control, the city walls and towers were repeatedly strengthened against Ottoman threat. During the Second World War, Zadar was among the most heavily bombed cities in Yugoslavia, destroying much of the historic fabric. Post-war reconstruction revealed Roman street grids and forum remains, now integrated into the modern pedestrianised centre.

What to See

The Church of St. Donatus, a circular pre-Romanesque rotunda built on the Roman forum in the 9th century, is Zadar's most distinctive monument. The adjacent Cathedral of St. Anastasia contains early Christian mosaics and is one of the finest Romanesque buildings in Croatia. The Roman Forum columns stand exposed at ground level. Alfred Hitchcock declared the Zadar sunset "the most beautiful in the world." Nikola Bašić's Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, two sound and light installations on the waterfront promenade, are contemporary icons of the city.

Getting There

Zadar Airport is 8 km from the old town, served by multiple European carriers. Buses and taxis connect the airport to the city. Regular ferry services operate to the islands of Ugljan, Pašman, and Dugi Otok. Bus connections run to Zagreb (3.5 hours) and Split.

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