08 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Zadar
1. St. Simon’s Church
The 17th-century St. Simon’s Church (Crkva sv. imun) is worth a visit. Here, you’ll find the remains of Saint Simon, one of the four saints of Zadar, preserved in a sarcophagus designed by Francesco da Milano in the late 14th century.
The cedar sarcophagus features gold-plated reliefs depicting the life of Saint Simon and a replica of the Capella dell’Arena from Padua, Italy. Note also the church’s finely decorated altarpiece showing the Virgin and saints.
2. City walls and gates
No visit to Zadar is complete without exploring the impressive old city walls and gates. The older part was built by the Romans and is located near the footbridge along the eastern wall, while the surviving part was built mainly by the Venetians.
The remaining four gates are relatively well preserved, the most important and impressive of which is the Earth Gate. Built in 1543 in Renaissance style, this impressive building still provides excellent access for exploring the old part of the city (the other gates are the Saint Roch Gate and the Port Gate, as well as a square (five wells).
Also worth a visit is Zadar’s famous Sea Gate (Morska Vrata), otherwise known as the Gate of Saint Chrysogonos. Built in 1560 using a standing Roman arch as a base, the portal has many interesting features, including the coat of arms of Venice, the Lion of Saint Mark; Monument to sailors. And a plaque commemorating the visit of Pope Alexander III to Zadar.
3. Take a day trip to the Zadar Archipelago.
Zadar is a great place from which to explore the Dalmatian coast, especially the many beautiful islands in the Zadar archipelago. One of the most interesting places to visit is Dugi Otok, which is the largest at 124 square kilometers and is home to scattered villages, mainly fishing and farming.
A holiday destination since Roman times, Doje Otok includes the village of Sali, the main community and port, with its Renaissance summer house and St. Mary’s Church, and the port of Buzava with its 10th-century St. Nicholas Church. Gary Village included. . But the real beauty of the island lies in its rugged landscapes and natural attractions, including the famous Sakkaron Bay and Telasika Nature Park, a great place to relax on the beach or go scuba diving.
The islands of Mulat, Ulip, Basman, Uguljan and Premuda are also worth visiting with their peaceful atmosphere and beautiful beaches.
4. Al Dar Archaeological Museum
The second oldest museum in Croatia, the Archaeological Museum of Zadar (Arheološki muzej Zadar) was founded in 1832 and is dedicated to the city’s rich history. It is a good place to examine the influences that shaped this region of Dalmatia.
Highlights include several ground-floor displays dedicated to explorations from the 7th to the 12th century, and an impressive glass collection, as well as several first-floor displays dealing with northern Dalmatia in the Roman period (particularly interesting is that the model of Zadar represents the city. Roman planning).
The oldest periods of history are represented on the second floor, with collections from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages, including weapons, jewelry, pottery, and other artifacts.
5. St. Mary’s Church and Benedictine Abbey
Built in the 11th century, St. Mary’s Church (Benediktinski samostan sv. Marija) has undergone various renovations and changes over the years. The present church has a Renaissance facade and a beautiful bell tower, known as the Columbine Tower. This magnificent Romanesque structure, a later addition, dates back to the 12th century.
Next to the church is the old Benedictine monastery. Still in use today, the monastery now also houses the Museum of Church Art, which contains an interesting collection of gold objects, paintings, and sculptures.
6. Zardar Gold and Silver
Inside the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary’s Church Another attraction of Zadar: the Gold and Silver of Zadar. It is housed in several rooms within the cloister and church of Sv from the 11th century. In Nediljica, this remarkable show – also known as the Museum of Church Art – began as a temporary exhibition at the instigation of the famous Croatian sculptor Miroslav Krleža. It has since become one of the most important permanent displays of religious artifacts in the city.
Apart from the many fine gold pieces, the museum’s impressive collection also includes a number of important religious relics. It contains the relics of important saints and bishops, as well as historical vestments and clothing.
7. People’s Square
Major highlights include the Old City Guard House (Gradska Straza), built in the mid-15th century and hard to miss due to the massive 18th-century clock tower on the square’s west side).
On the opposite side of the tower stands the Renaissance City Loggia (Gradska Loza), built in 1565 and traditionally used as a venue for important public proclamations and proclamations. These days, this grand old building serves as a public gallery for art and other exhibits. Also of interest on People’s Square is the City Hall, built in the 1930s.
8. Museum of Old Glass
In the magnificent 19th-century Cosmacendi Palace near Zadar’s waterfront, the impressive Museum of Ancient Glass houses one of the largest collections of ancient glass specimens in Europe. Among the many highlights are a number of rare Roman jars, cups and flasks that were found during decades of archaeological excavations in Dalmatia, Croatia.
Also noteworthy are the large number of glass vessels used to hold perfumes and oils, the glass cups once used during mass ceremonies in the oldest churches in the region, and the vessels for storing holy water. Afterwards, be sure to stroll the palace grounds with stunning views of Jazin Harbour.