Zadar, for many centuries the capital of Dalmatia, is a port city known for its well-preserved Romanesque churches, picturesque medieval walls, and narrow and charming streets.
Though it is a city with under 100,000 residents, it is nonetheless a centre of cultural and historical attractions. Zadar has been fought over and conquered in many wars and has traded political hands many times, which has added to its dynamic architecture and historic interest; its history extends back three thousand years. Long a municipality of Rome, much of its architecture hails to this era. During the Turkish wars, many castles and walls were constructed, altering the landscape. Primary languages of Zadar are English and Croatian.
Much of the art of Zadar is religious in nature, owing to its longstanding roots in Christianity. There is an art gallery but many of the significant pieces of art can be found in churches. The Benedectine Convent of Saint Mary has a permanent exhibit of eleventh century gold and silver artifacts, manuscripts, tapestries, and more. The mummified remains of Saint Simon, the patron saint of Zadar, are on display in the Church of Saint Simon. The Church of Saint Donatus contains some superlative examples of Dalmation metalwork, such as the reliquary (silver ark) of Saint Simeon as well as Bishop Valaresso's pastoral staff.
The Museum of Archaeology has a permanent exhibit with some significant pieces from Zadar’s illustrious history; the museum was established in 1830 and contains some very interesting displays. There are a variety of museums with a focus on gothic arts, but as the culture of Zadar spans many eras and many countries, there is something for every artistic sensibility; visitors are sure to enjoy the popular National Museum and Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Church Art.
Those who like to party will enjoy the diverse night clubs and discos of the area. The hot summer months are a peak time for nightlife, as many clubs feature outdoor areas on the street or in terraces or gardens. An area in the south western edge of town features very sociable open-air partying. Mihovila Pavlinovica is a trendier, louder area with a number of clubs. There is certainly no shortage of nightclubs open late and live music or deejays are prevalent.
Restaurants of the area are as varied as the cultures, and many feature local homemade food specialties. Fresh seafood and the local olive oil are top choices, as well as roast lamb, prosciutto and a favored regional hors d’oeuvre, Pag cheese.
While here, be sure to enjoy Veliki Makiato (the regional coffee with milk), the delicious wines of Croatia, and Maraskino liqueur, a favored drink of the 19th century European courts.
The old town center is on a peninsula which is a frequently photographed perspective of Zadar.
Fishing is a regional pride and Zadar’s peninsular fish markets are a lively and enjoyable stroll. The Forum, which was the town square during Roman times, is now partially in view in front of and under the Church of the Sveti Donat.
Top entertainment pursuits of the area include cultural and historical activities, sporting pursuits such as basketball, football, handball, and tennis, as well as water sports like scubadiving, rowing, windsurfing, sailing, and angling. Yachting is also a popular past time.
In central Dalmatia on the Adriatic coast, Zadar can be accessed easily via plane or car from Zagreb, about 300 kilometers away. There are buses from Rijeka, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb as well as a high-speed train from Zagreb, but both deposit riders quite far away. A ferry from Ancona, Italy is a great way to arrive and drops guests off conveniently at the historic centre.
