City Zadar

Zadar is surrounded by four National Parks (Plitvice lakes and waterfalls, Paklenica  canyion, Krka waterfalls and Kornati archipelago) and almost  fifty tourist villages. The  Zadar region with its 1200 km indented and untouched coastline, together with more than 300 islands and islets, give shelter in their quiet bays.  To visit the Zadar region is to indulge nature's rich variety of  mountain field and coastline scenery. Surrender to the magic of the Velebit mountain, enjoy the peace of the island  landscape!  Rich in history, Zadar's old town  is vibrant with a modern and exciting life. Traditional and present  day values merge creating the  variety of Zadar's attractions. 

Rich in history, Zadar's old town  is vibrant with a modern and exciting life. Traditional and present  day values merge creating the  variety of Zadar's attractions. As early as the 9th century B.C. Zadar had been known as the settlement of the Liburnians (an Illyrian tribe). In the course of time Zadar became a Roman colony and with the fall of the Western Roman Empire it became a Byzantine settlement. From the 9th century, Zadar was inhabited by Croats and ruled   by Croatian Kings. In 1105 the town came under Croato-Hungarian rulers; from 1409 under Venice; from 1797 under Austria; from  1805-1813 under France and later under Austria again. The Rapallo treaty assigned the town to Italy, but in 1944 it was returned to Croatia. The rich and turbulent history of Zadar is reflected in its numerous monuments to the spirit and culture of the town.

There are several layers of town walls and fortifications, parts of a Roman Forum, churches dating from early Christian, Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the famous collection of sacral silver and gold objects. Zadar is the birthplace of  the first Croatian novel (early 16th century) and the Croatian   newspaper. Today it is the administrative, transportation, tourist and cultural center of a wider area called "županija" in  Croatian   language. The nucleus of the old town clearly shows several cultural landmarks, ranging from the Liburni-an tumuli and Roman Forum, the Old-Christian St. Donat and Old-Croatian St. Nedijica church, to various Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches and buildings.

The surroundings of Zadar are famous for quiet sea resorts,  deserted und unspoiled bays and mainland scenery of lakes and waterfalls. Often small stone chapels stand ad mute guardians and witnesses of the ancient history and culture of Croatia from the 10th and 11th centuries. The unique archipelago of Zadar, with its islands emerging from a calm and clear sea, offers a wide choice of sports and recreation facilities. You can play tennis, try wind surfing or scuba diving, or make a trip to the charming Kornati islands. 



Tourist destination - Croatia - Destinations Dalamatia