The historical part of Zadar (Zara) is fascinating for its
historical monuments and cultural heritage. The church of St. Donat (San Donato), is the
symbol of the city, the Archaeological Museum (established in 1830) is one of the most
important of Croatia.
Zadar (Zara) became a Roman municipium in 59 BC, and in
48 BC a colony of Roman citizens. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the early 7th
century, Zadar (Zara) became the capital of the Byzantine province of Dalmatia. In the
early 9th century it came under the Franks, while it was given back to Byzantium in 812.
Zadar (Zara) was under the Republic of Venice between 1111-1154, between 1160-1183 and in
1202. Then it came under the rule of the Hungarian-Croatian kingdom, then under that of
Ladislas of Naples, who, in 1409 sold Zadar (Zara) to Venice.
When in the early 16th
century the Ottoman Turks conquered the Zadar (Zara) hinterland, the town became an
important stronghold ensuring the Venetian trade in the Adriatic, as well as the
administrative centre of the Venetian possessions in Dalmatia and a cultural centre. After
the fall of Venice (1797) with the Treaty of Campoformio, Zadar (Zara) came under the
Austrian rule under which it remained until 1918, except for the period of the French rule
(1805-1813), all this time remaining the capital of Dalmatia. During World War I, on 4
November 1918 the city was occupated by Italian army. After World War I, under the Treaty
of Rapallo (1920), Zadar (Zara) was ceded to Italy. The city remain under Italian
administration until 31 October 1944, than it was occupied by Tito partisans and later was
ceded to Yugoslavia. Zadar (Zara) was bombed 54 times by the allied air forces during the
Second World War and more than 90 % of the popolation left the city for Italy and never
came back.
Loggia della Gran Guardia in Narodni Trg
(Piazza dei Signori), Zadar (Zara). It was built in 1562 by Gian Girolamo Sanmicheli, it's
surmounted by the clock tower (built in 1798).
The Municipal palace, Zadar (Zara). This
palace was built in 1936 during the Italian administration. On the facade are reliefs
representing the Dalmatian towns.
Loggia della Gran Guardia in Narodni Trg
(Piazza dei Signori), Zadar (Zara).
Gradska Loza (Loggia di Città) in Narodni
Trg (Piazza dei Signori), Zadar (Zara). It was built in 1565 by Gian Girolamo Sanmicheli
as city tribunal.
Detail of the inscription over Gradska Loza
(Loggia di Città) in Narodni Trg (Piazza dei Signori), Zadar (Zara).
Roman column, Trg Petra Zoranica, Zadar
(Zara).
Inscription in Trg Petra Bunara (Piazza o
Campo dei Cinque Pozzi), Zadar (Zara).
Trg Petra Bunara (Piazza o Campo dei Cinque
Pozzi), Zadar (Zara).
The Fossa (Fosa) and the bastion Cittadella
(built in 1574). Zadar, (Zara).
Porta di Terraferma (Kopnena Vrata), Zadar,
(Zara). It was built in 1543 by Michele Sanmicheli, it's the monumental entrance gate to
the city.
An old Venetian palace, Zadar (Zara).
Old Window, Zadar (Zara).
Old Window, Zadar (Zara).
St. Donat (San Donato), Zeleni
Trg (Piazza delle Erbe), Zadar (Zara). The
most outstanding monument of Zadar (Zara) is, unquestionably, the former church of St.
Donat dedicated to the Trinity. The church named after the bishop Donato from the begining
of the 9th century, who is beleived to have had erected it. Drawing upon the early
Byzantine tradition, the edifice was built at the begining of the 9th century. It has a
circular ground-plan. The church, leaning on the early Christian Cathedral now makes part
of the episcopal complex.
Bell tower of the
Cathedral of Sv. Stosija (Santa Anastasia), Zadar (Zara). It was started to build in 1452
but it was finished in 1892.
Church of St. Mary (Sv. Marije, Santa
Maria), Zadar (Zara). This church was dedicated in 1091. The monestary and
the church were seriously damaged in World War II.
Cathedral of Sv. Stosija (Santa
Anastasia), Zadar (Zara). It was originally an old Christian basilica on the remains of
which a new Romanesque church was built in the l2th century.
Sv. Krševan (San Crisogono), Zadar,
(Zara). It was built in the place of a former 10th century church and consecrated in 1175.
Porta Marina (Vrata Sv. Krsevana), Zadar,
(Zara). This gate was built in 1573 and englobed a Roman arch dedicated to the Sergi's
family.
