About Zadar

Basic facts about Zadar

Due to its natural position,  Zadar is located on the Croatian connecting point geographically different regions. It is surrounded by small historical towns such as Nin, Pag, Biograd, Obrovac, Benkovac and others and is for visitors from around the world an easy accessible and attractive destination whether by sea, over land or by air.
A highly indented coastline, islands and the pristine nature attract many boaters especially here in this area. The archipelago of 24 major and even 300 smaller islands and rocks, 3 parks - Telašćica Northern Velebit and Plitvice Lake, 5 national parks - - Paklenica, Plitvice, Kornati, Krka, Velebit, Zadar and share with the environment to the top of the tourist offer in Croatia.

History about Zadar

Zadar is an ancient city on the Croatian Central Adriatic full of historical and cultural attractions. This 3000 years old city has a long, turbulent and dynamic history. She was often destroyed and plundered, and destroyed but every time it arose from the ruins even stronger, more beautiful and richer.

In the story we first hear of Zadar in the 4th century BC under the name Jader and indeed that was the settlement of the Illyrian tribe of one - the Liburnians. The name changes through history, in Idassa (Greek origin), Jadera (Roman origin), Diadora Zara (during the reign of Venice and later Italy) until the present name of Zadar.

After the year 59 BC Zadar to the Rome municipality shall be appointed and 48 BC a colony of Roman citizens. Under the Roman domination Zadar receives a symmetrical roads built with a square - Forum, along with an increased capitol temple. In the 7th century Zadar (the center of the capital) is the Byzantine province of Dalmatia.

Beginning of the 9th century Zadar is mentioned as the residence of Bishop Donatus and the Byzantine leader Paul. At this time, will be built on the Roman Forum, the Church of the Holy Trinity, now of St. Donatus - the landmark of the city of Zadar.

A larger settlement of Croats was noted in the 10 century. From this time the foundations of the Romanesque church of St. Mary, were reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono St. and Cathedral of St. Anastasia preserved. In 1202 the city will be captured and burned by crusaders and the Venetians. Thereafter, the first Gothic churches are built in Dalmatia - St. Francis and St. Dominic and the art treasures, this time one has the silver chest to stress - the shrine of St. Simeon. The 15-16th centuries are characterized by significant activities of Croatian writers, start typing in the Croatian vernacular (Petar Zoranić, Brne Karnarutić, Šime Budanić, Jerolim Vidulić ...).

Under the Venetians, the Austrians take over the rule in Zadar (1797). After a brief period from 1806 to 1813 Zadar falls through the Treaty of Rapallo to Italy and after World War II to the mother country Croatia (as part of Yugoslavia). 1991 Croatia emerges from Yugoslavia, so that now the independent Republic of Croatia Zadar heard. Today the city is a monument to the various historical periods and cultures, the boundaries and contours of her urban look is visible have set.

THE CITY OF ZADAR located in the heart of the Adriatic Sea and is regarded as an urban center of northern Dalmatia. It is the center of this region for administration, economy, culture and politics, with close to 90,000 residents.