cosmopolitan and artistic, Vadar is the largest metropolis in Northern Dalmatia, is still under the general tourist radar.This city on a small peninsula is full of a lot of things to do.There is an old historical city, with only pedestrian marble streets, which are perfect for exploration on foot, and numerous medieval churches and Roman ruins, including the famous St. Donat Church, built on the site of a former Romanian ancient forum.
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Vadar is also an art destination with two unique installations – the sea organ and the greeting of the sun – which should not be missed.Even on the coast, there are also beautiful beaches in which the water is clear and hot and perfect for summer swimming.Finally, Zadar is an important transport center and it is easy to reach the nearby islands.Explore several places to visit in and around this vibrant city with our list of top attractions in Zadar.
Best period
The best months for good weather in vain are April, May, June, July, August, September and October
On average the hottest months are July and August
The coldest months are January and February
Tourist Attractions
The Cathedral of Zadar, also known as St. Anastasia Cathedral, combines a series of architectural periods in his fabric.The construction initially started with Byzantines since the 9th century, but it was rebuilt again in the 12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style.A special interest is the fine facade of the cathedral, with the three inputs and the numerous blind arches, as well as two beautiful rose windows;The top in the Gothic style, while the lower one is Romanesque. In the interior attraction points include the remains of St. Anastasia from the 9th century, the stone altars and the impressive chorus carved in wood.Make sure you check the wonderful bell by dating from the fifteenth century, the higher levels being completed at the end of the 19th century.If you want truly wonderful views over the city, arrange to climb the bell tower
Built by Benedictini, the Romanesque Church of St. Chrysogonus (Crkva SV Krševana) was built on the site of an old Roman market at the end of the 12th century.The interior of this splendid three-color old churches includes a Baroque main altar dating from the early 1700s, as well as an apse containing a series of well-preserved frescoes from the 13th century (consult the Romanesque crucifix).A special remark is the beautiful outer of the apse behind the church, in turn of arches lining the upper portion
One of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture found in Dalmatia, the Church of St. Donatus in Zadar is one of the top historical attractions of the city.Dating from the 9th century, the Church of the Holy Trinity was initially called, but later it was renamed after the donated bishop.Built above the old Roman forum, the building incorporates many elements of the original structure, including two of the supporting pillars.The church floor was actually distant to show the original stone work of the soil forum, and many of the stones used to build the church.
Built in the eleventh century, St. Mary's Church has undergone a series of renovations and changes over the years.The current church is proud of a Renaissance facade and a wonderful bell tower, known as Koloman's Tower, a splendid Romanesque structure dating from the 12th century.Near the church is the old monastery, which now houses the Museum of Church Art, with its fascinating collection of gold pieces, paintings and sculptures.From the eleventh century.Non -iljica.In addition to its many fine golden pieces, the Museum also hosts numerous important religious relics, including important saints and bishops, as well as ancient clothing and fabrics.
Vadar is the perfect place to explore the Dalmatian coast, especially the many beautiful islands of the Zadar archipelago.One of the most interesting places to visit is Dugi Otok, the largest with 124 square kilometers and hosts a villager, which mainly subsists with fishing and agriculture.Bozava with the Church of St. Nicholas from the tenth century..But the true beauty of the island is in its rugged landscapes and natural attractions, including in the popular Golf Sakarun and the Telascica Natural Park, a wonderful place for relaxation on the beach or diving.
Built between the 1st century BC and the third century AD, the old Roman forum in Zadar should be explored as part of a tour of the city (you cannot miss this due to its location near the beautiful old churches).Measuring 90 meters long on 45 meters wide, the magnitude of this impressive ruin in Zeleni TRG Square still impresses (in the Roman period, this area was a central market and a public area).Also, the pole of shame is of interest, a more recent addition used from the Middle Ages until the 19th century to remove criminals so that all the people of the city can see.Hot tip: try to plan your visit for nightfall when the ruins are lighted
The famous organ of the Sea in Zadar was installed on the sea in 2005 and is now one of the top art installations in the country and a mandatory thing to do in the city.Basically a giant musical instrument played by the action of the waves, is a fascinating device, which consists of a series of underwater tubes placed under marble steps that descend into water.Each tube creates a different tone and together forms a fascinating soundtrack, even if somewhat surreal, for the whole experience.If the installation seems familiar, it is because it is one of the many similar installations found in places like San Francisco.It is a spectacular circular installation consisting of 300 glass plates with multiple layers and solar cells that, at nightfall, light up.These two attractions complement themselves so well, we recommend that you see them in a single visit
The second oldest museum in Croatia, the Zadar Archaeological Museum (Zadar Museum) was founded in 1832 and is dedicated to the rich history of the city.It is a good place to gather an overview of the influences that have shaped this area of Dalmatia. In the attraction points include the numerous posters from the ground floor dedicated to the discoveries of the VII-XII centuries, a notable glass collection, as well as many posts on the first floor related to the northern Dalmatia in the Romanian period, which is the Romanian model.The oldest periods of history are displayed on the second floor, which hosts collections related to paleolithic, neolithic, copper, bronze and iron, including weapons, jewelry, ceramics and other artifacts
In the splendid Cosmacendi Palace from the 19th century, near the water's edge in Zadar, the excellent ancient glass museum houses one of the largest collections of ancient glass artifacts.Among his many attractions are numerous jars, cups and rare Roman vials found in decades by archaeological excavations in the Dalmatia region of Croatia.Also, a series of glass vessels used to hold perfumes and oils, glass cups used in the first churches in the region during the liturgy holidays and tiny vials designed to store sanctified water are worth noting.After that, make sure you wander the palace land with their amazing views over the Jazine Port
Kornati National Park (Kornati National Park), right next to the Zadar Coast, is made up of 147 islands in the Zadar archipelago and is easy to visit on a day trip.Established in 1980 to protect the marine life and to keep the natural habitats, these islands mostly uninhabited include the Kornat Island, the largest, 25 kilometers long and two and a half kilometers wide.Under the Venetian rule he left their desert.Some of the islands still have Roman remains, including the ruins of Roman villas, and walls that slip along the shore in the water, which is believed to have been a fresh fish tank.These days, the park is popular among yachts, divers and visitors on travel boats or private charms, all attracted by the unique beauty of the park
The People's Square (Narodni TRG) was the center of public life in Zadar from its construction in the sixteenth century.Important aspects include the old guard house of the city (Gradska Strza), built in the mid-1500s and difficult to miss on the western part of the market due to its large clock tower added in the eighteenth century (it is worth a visit to its small ethnographic museum).to make important public announcements and proclamations.These days, this splendid old building functions as a public gallery for art and other exhibitions.Also of interest in the People's Square is the City Hall, built in the 1930s
About 10 minutes walk very picturesque from the old city, Kolovare Beach is the main beach of the city, a mixture of sand and pebbles supported by clear blue water.In summer, the beach can be crowded, but if the sun is too hot, you can retreat to a green area shaded just above the beach, which offers a break and is popular for picnics.There are also showers, lockers and toilets at the beach.Nearby, you will also find shops and restaurants.If you want to swim with fewer people, continue to go to the east of Kolovate to the promontory
No visit to Zadar is complete without exploring its magnificent ancient walls and gates.The oldest section was built by the Romans and is near the walkway along the eastern wall, while the remaining sections were mainly built by the Venetians.Built in 1543 Venetians in Renaissance style, this splendid structure still offers the best access point when you explore the old part of the city (the other gates are St. Rok gate and the port gate, as well as one in the market of the five wells).SV KRSEVANA).Constructed in 1560 using an existing Roman arc for a base, the gate includes many interesting features, including a relief of the Venice's emblem, the lion of Saint Mark;a memorial for sailors;and a commemorative plaque that pays tribute to Pope Alexander III to Zadar