"Zadar/Zara" a Zadar Travel Page by JLBG

Zadar was first mentioned as Jader (Jadera) in the 4th century BC as the stronghold of the Liburni, an Illyrian tribe. After 59 BC it became a Roman municipium and soon it became a Roman citizens colony. It was plundered by the Goth but was rebuilt; Under the rule of Byzance and later of Croatia, it fought for four centuries against Venice. The city suffured main destructions in 1202 when it was attacked both by the Venetian and by the armies of the fourth Crusade.

Zadar gained its highest wealth and power in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1409, it fell under the Venetian rule under the name of Zara. During the Turk wars (16th and 17th century) major constructions made it the most powerful stronghold of the eastern coast of the Adriatic. In 1797, it was taken by Austria. Between 1806 and 1814, it was included in the Illyrian provinces of Napoleon's empire. After 1814 and until 1921, it remained under the Austrian rule.

In 1918 the Kingdom of the Serbs and of the Croats was created, including Zadar But in 1920 at the treaty of Rapallo between Mussolini’s Italy and newly born kingdom of the Yugoslavs, the whole Istria and the enclave of Zadar/Zara (104 sq. km ) were annexed to Italy while Rijeka/Fiume was temporarily a puppet independent state later annexed by Mussolini. The Zara enclave included the city of Zadar/Zara, the Municipalities of Bocanjaċ/Boccagnazzo, Arbanasi/Borgo Erizzo, Črno/Cerno, part of Diklo/Dicolo and the islands of Lastovo/Lagosta and Palagruža/Pelagosa. These territories came back to Croatia after WWII.

As Zara was occupied by the Nazi, it was in 1943 and 1945 heavily damaged by 54 allied bombings. A great many buildings and monuments were destroyed. Some were rebuild later.

Zadar had 30,000 inhabitants in 1979, 72,000 in 2001 (162,000 for the county).

Though all its destructions, Zadar has kept a rich heritage of world importance, visible at every step. The Roman Forum from the 1st century, St. Donatus Church from the 9th century is the most famous medieval basilica and trademark of the city. The reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono Church from the 12th century and the St. Mary's bell tower from the year 1105; the St. Anastasia's Cathedral from the 13th century; the People's Square with the City's Lodge and Guardhouse from the 16th century, as well as the mighty fortification walls with first class Sea (farer's) and Land gates from the 16th century followed by the Three and Five Wells Squares and many palaces, villas and other historic monuments.

The city of Zadar prides itself of several "first". Among others :
Zadar was the first town on Croatian soil to have a University in 1396, named Universitas Iadertina.

The first operation with ether narcosis was performed in Zadar

1-Kopšena vrata, the Land gate
2- Ċrvka Sv. Sime, Church of Saint Simeon
3- Ċrvka i Samostan Sv Mihovila, Church and Monastery of Saint Michael
4-Gradska Straža, the City Sentinel
5- Ċrvka i Samostan Sv Marije, Church and monastery of saint Mary
6- Arheoložki Muzej, Archeological museum
7- Ċrvka Sv Krševana, Church of Saint Chrysogonus
8- Ċrvka Sv Donata, Church of Saint Donat
9- Katedrala Sv Štosije, Saint Anastasia's cathedral
10- Ċrvka i Samostan Sv Frane, Saint Francis Church and Franciscan Monastery
11- Morske orgulje, sea organ