Zadar attractions
Zadar has many natural attractions in the form of beautiful beaches and parks. And with a fascinating history that is influenced by the Romans, Venice and Turkey, to name a few, it is not difficult to find exciting photo objects. Zadar is clearly one of this region’s most historically interesting cities.
Zadar has a lot to offer you as a tourist in Croatia!
St Donatus
This church was built in the early 800’s and was actually called the Holy Trinity Church. St Donat / St Donatus [see image above] is one of the most important buildings in Zadar and is in fact one of the largest buildings in Byzantine architecture throughout Dalmatia.
Interestingly, the ground that the church stands on was originally an ancient Roman forum, and many of the stones you find in the church originate precisely from this one. And the acoustics inside the church are widely known. St Donat can be found on the street Zeleni Trg.
Museum of Church Art
On the opposite side of St Donat you will find a museum displaying all types of religious art including paintings, sculptures, relics and much more. If you are interested in history and / or religion then this is definitely a place to visit.
Roman Forum in Zadar
In front of St Donat Church you will find the remains of the Roman Forum from the century before the birth of Christ. The pillars on the north-west side are called “the pillars of shame” because it was here that criminals and other suspected culprits were chained and mocked in the Middle Ages.
People’s Place (Narodni Trg)
People’s place has been the heart of Zadar and the meeting place for most people since the 16th century. The square, or square if you like, offers beautiful buildings, museums and the town hall. The latter building was built in the 1930s. In the square you will also find the city’s bell tower with 18th-century ancestors.
Archaeological Museum (Arheoloski Muzej)
Zadar has a great archaeological museum where you can find objects and exhibits from Roman times in Dalmatia on the upper floor, while the ground floor shows archaeological finds from the 600s to the 1100s. The address of the Archaeological Museum is Trg Opatice Cike 1, not far from St. Donat Church.
Anastasia Cathedrals (Cathedral of St. Styria)
Like so many other large church buildings, Anastasia Cathedral has been rebuilt several times. Originally it is Byzantine and from the 8th century, but has been changed in both the 1100s and the 1200s in a circular style, and then undergo further changes. The result has been a fascinating church with everything from Gothic top windows to Byzantine interiors mixed with the body of the 13th century.
The address is Trg Svete Stošije. Not far from St Donat Church.
Sea Portal (Morska Vrata)
This portal or entrance gate if you will, is very famous. Not only in Zadar, but in Dalmatia. It was built in 1560 and the man behind the masterpiece, M ichele Sanmichele, was clearly inspired by the Romans and their portals. On the sea side of the portal you will find the emblem of Venice (the lion) and a memorial to those who participated in the Battle of Lepanto. On the opposite, there is a tribute to Pope Alexander III’s visit to Zadar.
The sea portal Morska Vrata is located on the west side of the Old Town of Zadar and is also known by the name Gate of St. Chrysogonus (Vrata Sv Krsevana).
St Simeon (Crkva Sv. Sime)
This church dating back to the late 1100s is especially known for its sarcophagus, which is considered a masterpiece when it comes to craftsmanship from the Middle Ages. The work was done by a local jeweler and his helper. The church itself has been built several times. The facade is believed to have been completed in 1632, while the bell tower dates from 1707.
The address of St Simenon Church is Trg Šime Budinica.
Sea organ in Zadar
The beautiful seafront promenade in Zadar that the locals call Riva is not like other coastal towns, no matter how big or small the city is. And although we must admit that there are more beautiful walks, no one can offer the attraction to the likes of the one here on Obala Petra Kresimira IV, which is the promenade’s correct name. Here is Zadar’s sea organ where the very Adriatic is the organist! The architect behind is the architect Nikola Baši.
Solmonumentet
Not far from the famous sea organ in Zadar, you will find a newer attraction. Architect Nikola Bašić has also made a tribute to the sun. The monument consists of three hundred layers of glass panels shaped like a circle which, by the way, measures an impressive 22 meters in diameter.
Zadar (naturally) claims in the tourist towns that they have the most beautiful sunset in the world. In any case, the Solar Monument’s electrical installations are initiated simultaneously with the onset of the sunset, giving their spectators a fantastic view of light, color and energy. Definitely worth seeing.