Zadar is a Croatian city on the coast of the Adriatic, center of the Zadar county and a wider area of northern Dalmatia. With its 73 thousand inhabitants, Zadar is the fifth largets city in Croatia, a city whose long history dates back to ancient times, a city full of sights to see.
The most famous monument and a symbol of the city is the church of St. Donauts from early medieval times - a magnificent monument of early byzantine architecture. The church was built on the pavement of Forum - the main square of an ancient Roman settlement dating back to Ist century BC.
The main street of Zadar is called Kalelarga. It runs from Forum in the west to People's square in the east. Kalelarga is the heart and soul of the city - packed with people, young, old, in love and ones searching for love.
It is worth noting that Alfret Hitchcock, during his visit in 1964, said that Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world... and we believe this gentleman has seen the world!
From other cultural monuments in Zadar one should not miss the cathedral of St. Anastasia, the church of St. Mary, the church of St. Krševan and the church and the monastery of St. Francis. Monumental are the fortified city walls, the Archeological museum and the exibition "Gold and silver of the city of Zadar" - a priceless collection of religious and profane objects, manuscripts, art work and relics that tell the story of the history of Zadar from the VIIth century.
A moder icon of the city and lately the most popular tourist attraction are the famous Sea organs. Constructed after the idea of Nikola Bašić, they are located on the Zadar waterfront, near the new cruiser port. This unique instrument can be recognized as 230 feet of steps decending to the sea. The steps hide within 35 tubes of different legth, making a total of 7 accords of 5 notes. The movement of the waves runs air through these tubes, creating a natural simphony. Be sure not to miss the Zadar sunset accompanied by the cocert of the sea.
Maraskino, an original liquer from Zadar, is known around the world. It is renowned for its characteristic sweet taset and an aromatic smell. The liquer is today prepared according to the tradicional recipe invented by pharmacists from the Dominican monastery in XVIth century.
The boatmen of Zadar, localy called the barkarioli, are another famous tradition and symbol of the city. Over 800 years they have been rowing in their wooden barges, connecting the two shores of the city ports and serving their faithfull customers. This tradition has been carried from father to son for centuries and was kept to modern times.
The ones deciding wether to visit Zadar or not should definitely pack his bags and set off to discover the centuries of culture living in this town and waiting for its visitors.
