Zadar

Photo by Fabio Šimićev

Zadar, Croatia

Zadar is a city with a 3000 year long history. This rich historical background made Zadar a seat of civilization in the present – a cultural, economic and administrative centre of the Northern Dalmatia. In terms of traffic, Zadar is the centre of the region connecting the North and the South of Croatia.

The old Rome knew it under the name of Jadera. Today, Zadar is found as another pearl of unique beauty in this long Dalmatian necklace.

 

There are 2 things you mustn’t miss in sightseeing of Zadar.
The first is certainly the Church of St. Donat, which is the most famous monument of the city.
The Church dates back to the ninth century and its size and cylindrical shape are most certainly the cornerstones of its originality.

The other spectacle you won’t be able to miss, even if you try to, is the Roman Forum, a square stretching from the foundations of the St. Donat’s church to the Bishop’s Palace.

 

Photo by Fabio Šimićev
Photo by Fabio Šimićev

If you want to know what the sea sounds like at the western point of Zadar peninsula you will find the “sea organ”, sometimes even called as “The Sea Mozart”. By contrast to the common pipe organ, which is powered by bellows or blowers, this one is driven by lapping sea waves. Which means, when there are no waves, there is no music, as well.


For Zadar, basketball is everything. Do not be surprised if you all of the sudden meet the banner saying “God created the men, and Zadar created basketball”. The greatest basketball player of the from Zadar is most certainly Krešimir Ćosić, who even has its own monument in the city.

Zadar surroundings

The national park Plitvice with its array of lakes, falls, caves and forests is a pinnacle of the aestetic pleasure. This is the oldest and largest Croatian National Park, which gained UNESCO world heritage status back in 1979.

If you are familiar with the fact that the films about legendary Winnetou were filmed in Paklenica, you will understand how Wild West appeared in North Dalmatia. This National Park is an abundance of remarkable natural features and phenomena, and its wild and untouched beauty will leave you breathless.

Since roman times, town of Nin is well known as biggest deposit curative mud – peloid in the Adriatic sea. This makes it perfect area for health tourism.

Town of Biograd is a small tourist resort, best known as a nautical centre, but if you like sailing a small town Saint Philip and Jacob (Sveti Filip I Jakov) is a perfect destination with lots of sun and wind.

Vransko Lake and its surroundings have been declared a Nature Park because of its rare natural habitats, freshwater springs and biodiversity. The dominating characteristic of the park is its special Ornithological reserve.

Kornati islands include 89 uninhabited islands, islets, and reefs, for a total area of 217 km2, and are famous for the cliffs. The greatest fans of the Kornati islands are the boaters who find there a sunny labyrinth of sea and islands, and the peace of the untouched nature.