Attractions in Zadar

tamana

17 April 2020

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Near Vodice is located ancient town three thousand years old, built in the center of the Croatian Adriatic, full of historical and cultural monuments, the city of Zadar. Throughout history, names have changed, so Zadar was first Jader, then Idassa (Greek source), Jadera (Roman source), Diadora, Zara (for the reigns of Venice, later Italy) and eventually came the name Zadar.

 

Here are some suggestions what attractions in Zadar you should visit.

The City walls of Zadar

 

The ramparts of the Zadar rebellion, or as they are called “city walls” or “Muraj”, are a significant fortification system – the fortress of the very center of the city of Zadar. They were built in the 12th and 13th centuries, and were further strengthened in the 16th century. Much of the medieval ramparts was successfully preserved, and the ramparts were named “Ramparts of the Zadar Rebellion” in memory of the eleven bloody rebellions raised by the citizens of Zadar against the Venetian authorities.

The importance of the City Walls and their historical significance was further emphasized by the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, so the City Walls in 2017 were included on the World Heritage List as part of the cultural property.

Kalelarga

 

Throughout the past, the main street in Zadar changed many different names, such as Via Magna, Strada Grande, Ruga Magistra, and the name Calle Larga (Broad Street) appears later. Although “Broad street” is still the official name, in everyday speech, it is known to everyone as “Kalelarga”. It is believed that today’s Kalelarga was built during the Roman Empire. Zadar was built according to the strict principles of Roman urbanism, where a network of several large longitudinal streets and a large number of cross-sections was divided into rectangular insules. The best starting point to walk through Kalelarga is from Peter Zoranic Square where are the remains of a Roman city gate and a column – a Roman pillar was transferred to the present site at the beginning of the 18th century from the Forum.

Art installation: Sea Organ

 

One of the attractions in Zadar that you must visit is the Sea Organ. An art musical object and an experimental musical instrument set on the waterfront of Zadar brings together all the people at one place. The installation looks like a series of wide staircases leading into the sea, with interesting constructions below. The ingenious idea of a system of resonant chambers, that produces always-new tunes, and realizations of architecture Nikola Bašić has created a dreamlike atmosphere for all who decide to come and listen to the tunes of the sea.

znamenitosti grada zadra - Attractions in Zadar

Art installation: Greeting to the Sun

 

Right next to the sea organs, you can find interesting art installation called Greeting to the sun, symbolizing human communication with nature. This intriguing installation consists of 300 multi-layer, 22-meter-diameter glass solar panels that absorb solar energy during the day and, after sunset, create a light show worth watching. In addition to the sun, other planets of the solar system are shown.

It is interesting that in the chrome ring surrounding the plates are inscribed the names of the Zadar saints and dates but also the declination of the sun of the north and south of the equator, the height of the sun in the meridian on that date and the duration of the day on that holiday, which makes this Are installation also a calendar.

Roman Forum

 

Near the promenade called Riva, there is a historical place called Forum. The Roman Forum in Zadar is the largest Roman forum on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea.

In the history it represented the main square of the Roman ladder where the public life of the city took place. Its construction began in the 1st century BC. The founder of the Roman Forum is the first Roman emperor Augustus.

To this date, only the stairs, sidewalk and two monumental pillars have been preserved, one of which is on the original site. In the Middle Ages, the pillar served as a pillar of shame, as indicated by the chains nailed to it. On the foundations of the forum, the church of St. Donatus was built and Archdiocesan Palace.

Church of St. Donatus

 

Church of St. Donatus is the most valuable monument of pre-Romanesque construction of the early Middle Ages in Croatia and it is symbol of the city of Zadar, and because of its peculiar shape it is one of the most significant of its kind in Europe. The church is located in the central part of the historic center of the city, built on the ruins of an ancient Roman forum. The church of Sv. Donatus is first mentioned in the mid-10th century in the writings of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus.

Today, church spaces are often used for music programs because of their exceptional acoustic characteristics.

 

 

If you have free time head to Zadar and explore its history and culture.
If you need help organising the trip, our Villa TaMana staff is at your disposal.