In recent years, Zadar is regularly listed on the top lists of cities in Croatia that you must visit and that is well deserved. It is a city on the shores of the clear Adriatic Sea, and its rich history allows visitors to enjoy numerous cultural monuments, incredible historical stories, but also contemporary culture and art. With a sea of possibilities, it can be difficult to choose what to visit when you only have one day to get to know this interesting city. Don't worry, below are suggestions that will help you make the most of your time in Zadar.
1. Roman Forum - The Forum was founded in the 1st century BC and it is amazing how well preserved it is even today. Although it is a bit redecorated with some small details, the Forum still radiates a special atmosphere that takes visitors back to some ancient times when the area was ruled by the Romans.
2. Kalelarga - The main street of the city with a long history, in old documents it was also called "Ruga Magistra", "Via Magna", "Strada Grande". It is assumed that today's street was built during the Roman Empire, according to the principles of Roman urbanism. Kalelarga is one of the symbols of the city, we can say the legendary place of Zadar, which exudes a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, where visitors socialize, drink coffee, participate in cultural events, folk festivals and the like.
3. Cathedral of St. Anastasia - In November 1202, the city of Zadar was conquered by the Venetians. At that time, the cathedral was also badly damaged. It was being restored for most of the 13th century. The interior of the cathedral is monumental. The facade of the cathedral shows the perfect harmony of horizontal and vertical lines. At the edges of the façade are built on the left a lion, and on the right a bull, symbols of the Evangelists Mark and Luke.
4. 2Ribara Restaurant - Restaurant 2Ribara is located in the center of Zadar, on the Peninsula. The restaurant has a tradition of more than 50 years, and today is a very modern and popular place to dine. The food offered includes fresh fish and meat dishes, various types of pasta and pizza from the bread oven. The food is perfectly complemented by a wine list with local, Zadar wines.
5. City Walls - In the 16th century Zadar was a vital part of the Republic of Venice and subject to frequent attacks. In response to the rise of the Ottoman Empire, to protect their possessions, Venetian engineers devised an innovative defense system of walls, gates and bastions that survives largely intact to this day. Although the military purpose of the Zadar walls is evident, there are a handful of decorative elements. It is an outstanding ensemble representing the best of 16th-century military architecture. Once a safe haven, today it is a favorite promenade of all visitors of ancient Zadar.
6. Five Wells Square - Five Wells Square, built in 1574 during numerous attacks by the Ottoman Empire. By covering the moat dug in the Middle Ages west of the bastion, a large drinking water cistern with five beautifully decorated wells was built. Visitors will also find the remains of an aqueduct that served as a water supply system from Lake Vrana. It is surrounded by a wall that was built after the danger from the Ottomans passed and the 26-meter-high Captain's Tower, whose retaining wall merges with the entrance to the city park. The people of Zadar will often say that those who did not see the Square of Five Wells were not in Zadar.
7. Church of St. Donatus - Church of St. Donata in Zadar, a medieval monument from the 9th century, was built on the remains of the Roman Forum. In its beginnings, it was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and later took the name of Bishop Donat, who supervised the construction of the church. For centuries, the Church of St. Donatus has changed its purpose from secular to religious and vice versa. Until 1956, it served as a military warehouse, wine cellar and archeological museum. Due to its excellent acoustics, today it serves as the main place in Zadar for concerts and recitals and other cultural and artistic events.
8. Sea Organ - Designed by architect Nikola Basic and opened in April 2005, the Sea Organ records the movement of waves and turns them into music. It is an unusual sound that evokes the sea, wind and sky. Even without music, the white marble stairs that descend into the sea are extraordinarily beautiful and make this the perfect place to watch Zadar's beautiful sunsets.
9. Greetings to the Sun - At the top of the Zadar waterfront, there is an extraordinary installation "Greetings to the Sun", authored by Nikola Basic. An installation made of 300 photosensitive glass panels that absorb daylight and turn into a wonderful light show at night. This 22-meter circular panel is today one of the main attractions of Zadar.
10. Restaurant Kornat - Restaurant Kornat is one of the oldest restaurants in Zadar, and is located almost at the top of the Peninsula. The inspiration for the beautiful interior was the history of Zadar and the island of Kornat. The offer of dishes consists of Zadar and Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of innovation. The wine list is very rich and will delight every wine lover.
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