Croatia Travel Information: (some of) Zadar attractions

Zadar is truly among Croatia’s the most precious gems. This ancient town is situated in northern Dalmatia and it is a 5th largest city in Croatia.

Zadar’s main attractions are located in the old town – a pedestrian only. The promontory on which the old city stands used to be separated from the mainland by a deep moat which has since become a landfill. Old town still preserves its urban structure from Roman times. Zadar’s symbols and the most recognizable landmarks are church of St. Donatus from 9th Century (below picture on the left) and church of St. Stosija (Anastasia) from 12th Century (below picture on the right). Both are located near town's wide stone-tiled and the most famous street named Kalelarga and also close to Roman Forum (basically an ancient public square) - the largest on the eastern side of the Adriatic. The Forum was designed in the 1st Century.

The old town is filled with life from early morning. Locals and tourists smear all around the old town visiting its beautiful sights, Kalelarga, small side streets, picturesque fresh fruit market which allures with its colorful and rich offer. On the market you can find everything what Mediterranean has to offer, from fresh fruits and vegetables to home-made olive oil, fruit brandy, cheese, and of course, fresh fish.

But Zadar is not only about traditional, old and ancient. Zadar’s Riva (seaside promenade in the old town) since recently got two new attractions, two art installations which quickly became popular among tourists and locals.

The Sea Organ (picture above) is positioned near the new cruiser port as a part of Zadar's Riva and is easily recognized as a specifically shaped part of the coast that consists of several stairs descending into the sea. The stairs extend for about 70 meters along the coast, and under them, at the lowest sea-tide level, 35 pipes of different length, diameter and tilts were put up vertically to the coast, rising aslant to the paved part of the shore and ending in a canal (a service corridor). On the pipes there are LABIUMS (whistles), which play 7 chords of 5 tones. Above the canal there are perforated stone stairs through which the sound comes out as the air is pushed by the sea.

Another magical attraction is located right next to the Sea Organ. The Greeting to the Sun (picture above) consists of three hundred multi-layer glass panels set on the same level as the quay paving, in form of a circle having a diameter of 22 meters. The Greeting to the Sun is conceived as a spatial installation in form of an amphitheater surrounded by a stylized display of all Solar System planets and their orbits. When the ''most beautiful sunset in the world'' comes, the lighting elements built into the circle are activated, producing a wonderful, exceptionally impressive game of lights to the rhythm of the waves and the sound of the Sea Organ according to a specifically programmed scenario.

Both installations are designed by architect Nikola Bašić.

Magical time to see and hear the Organ and the Greeting is in the late afternoon, just before the sunset, because Zadar’s sunset is famous. Alfred Hitchcock once said that he never saw such beautiful sunset as the one in Zadar. But don’t trust Alfred, go see it for your self.

Zadar is in easy access from various points in Europe, thanks to carriers like Ryanair, SkyEurope, Germanwings and Croatia Airlines.