Weekend Getaways

thE SEA oRGAN (MoRSKE oRGuLJE) Spring 2005 saw Zadar gain something absolutely unique: the world’s first pipe organ that’s played by the sea. Simple, elegant stone steps have been built on the quayside, perfect for sitting on. Underneath, 35 pipes end in whistles with openings on the quayside above. The movement of the sea pushes air through, and – depending on the size and velocity of the wave – chords are played. As you sit and listen to the ever-changing sounds created by the sea’s energy, you can bask in the sun, watch one of Zadar’s famous sunsets or enjoy the balmy night air.QA‑4, Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV.

ZAdAR City wALLS pRoMENAdE Zadar was once the largest city-fortress in the Republic of Venice and its City Walls were an important part of an elaborate defensesystem.The City Walls of Zadar, together with the other five components of the Venetian Works of Defense of the 16th and 17th century, located in today’s Croatia, Italy and Montenegro, joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2017 as an outstanding monument of the modern maritime fortification scheme.The most impressive part of the Walls is the Land Gate, the main historical entrance to the city built in 1543 by Michele Sanmicheli, a famous Venetian architect. As an integral part of the Walls, it is considered one of the finest Renaissance monuments in whole Dalmatia, boasting its triumphal arch, central passage and two smaller side arches for pedestrians. The walls were renewed in 2020 with the support of the EU funds and the promenade in length of 750 meters was opened on November 24th last year, the day of Saint Chrisogonus – the city patron of Zadar.

Landmarks

FivE wELLS SquARE (tRG 5 buNARA) During the 16th century, the Venetians helped the city withstand Turkish sieges by building a large drinking water cistern with five ornamental wellheads. When the Turkish threat ended, a park was built on top of the nearby bastion, and nowadays the attractive stone-flagged park serves as the perfect gathering point for skateboarders.QD‑3, Trg 5 bunara.

thE CAptAiN’S towER (KApEtANovA KuLA) A pentagonal tower on the Five Wells Square, built by the Venetians to strengthen the city against Turkish attacks. It gets its name from the nearby residence of the Venetian city captain, and is now used as an exhibition space. QD‑3, Trg pet bunara.

thE City CEMEtERy, hERitAGE MoNuMENt (GRAdSKo GRobLJE) Cemeteries, most vacationers aren’t exactly thrilled at the thought of them. However it does have to be mentioned some of the highest quality stonework is on display at these sites. The city cemetery in Zadar is proof of that, and to be honest, when you visit on a sunny day it’s really not all that morbid.QR‑3.

ARChAEoLoGiCAL MuSEuM (ARhEoLošKi MuZEJ) On the Forum square is the low, modern building of the Archaeological Museum, featuring artefacts from Zadar’s development from Prehistoric times through to the first Croatian settlements. For a chronological tour, it makes sense to go directly to the prehistoric exhibition on the second floor, which covers decorative ceramics, weaponry and items the seafaring Liburnians brought from Greece and Italy. The first floor covers the Classical period, from the Romanised Liburnians (1st century BC) to the widescale Roman settlement (6th century AD). Artefacts include weaponry, items from local necropoli and sculpture, mosiacs and art created in far-flung parts of the Roman Empire. The collection of 1st-3rd century glassware is wonderful. Also well worth seeing is a reconstruction showing the Forum area in Roman times. In a smaller room are exhibits from the development of Christianity in North Dalmatia in the late Classical and early Byzantine period, and rare artefacts from the invasion of the Goths. The ground floor (early Middle Ages, 8th to 11th centuries) contains exhibits from early Croatian graves near Nin, and stone furniture from churches which did not survive the ages. Archaeological Museum in Zadar displays ancient Rome in a new contemporary way by using thematic sections to describe life in ancient Zadar (Lader) and areas of the southern part of Liburni (Northern Dalmatia). As well, statues of Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius and one of Tiberius’s successors, along with numerous inscriptions, sculptures and portraits that are included at this permanent exhibition. QC‑3, Trg opatice Čike 1, tel. (+385‑23) 25 06 13, www. amzd.hr. Open 09:00‑21:00. Admission 30kn. J MuSEuM oF iLLuSioNS The Museum of Illusions is an optical tour de force that’s a thrill for the whole family. In the heart of Zadar’s old town, the museum is unique in this part of Europe. Trick your mind and your senses with an array of exhibitions that will change the way you see the world around you. Come take a tour of a place like no other. You won’t believe your eyes!QD‑2, Poljana Zemaljskog Odbora 2, tel. (+385‑23) 31 68 03, www.zadar.muzejiluzija.com. Open 09:00‑22:00. Admission 70/50kn and for families 200kn.

RECtoR’S pALACE (KNEžEvA pALAčA) One of the city’s prized buildings, the 13th-century Rector’s Palace is located in the eastern part of the Zadar peninsula. Over the centuries the palace has experienced many changes, both scarce and stylistic. Archaeological research of its foundations had revealed parts of the building from the Roman and Late Antiquity period to wall structures showing Romanesque and Gothic layers. Historically, three restructured projects have taken place; in the 16th century, 19th century and in the 21st century. The latter was due to its bombing during the Homeland

thE pRovEditoR’S pALACE (pRoviduRovA pALAčA) Reopened in April 2022, the historic Proveditor’s Palace (Providurova palača) is the second part of a major restoration project that has taken several years to complete. The first part, the Rector’s Palace, was opened in 2017. The adjoining Proveditor’s Palace will, together with the Rector’s Palace, now form an integrated arts-and-culture centre known a the Two Palaces (Dvije palače), holding the collections of the city museums and art galleries as well as hosting major exhibitions and concerts. The oldest parts of the Proveditor’s Palace date from 1607, although it was significantly remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Proveditor was something like a “governor”, the leading Venetian official who was responsible for local government and military security. Now a bright, modern space, the palace looks set to become the stunning venue for contemporary art shows and musical performances. A busy programme of events is already in place QTrg Petra Zoranića / Poljana Šime Budinića 3, tel. (+385‑23) 62 77 64. Open 10:00‑22:00; closed Sun. Admission 40. Unified ticket costing 100 kn and includes entry to Rector’s and Proveditor’s Palace. zadar.inyourpocket.com

War where it was hit by eight large calibre missiles, causing heavy destruction and damaging the statics of the building. Now and as of recent, the palace has been reconstructed thanks to EU funding and is now a modern equipped cultural complex. This new tourist attraction unites the museum space, its temporary exhibition halls, and representative halls decorated and conserved in different historical styles. It also has a video gallery, concert and multimedia halls. In keeping to its natural and original beauty, the Rector’s Palace is now a treasure of the city well worth visiting.QD‑3, Poljana Šime Budinića. Open 10:00‑22:00; closed Sun. Admission 70. Unified ticket costing 100 kn and includes entry to Rector’s and Proveditor’s Palace.

SiLvER ANd GoLd oF thE City oF ZAdAR (ZLAto i SREbRo ZAdRA) If you come to Zadar you must see the Forum and St Donatus. If you only see one other thing, make it the Silver and Gold of Zadar. It’s housed in the Benedictine convent of St Mary’s, where it has been guarded by nuns since the end of the Second World War. It forms the Permanent Exhibition of Religious Art, one of the most important cultural repositories in Croatia. The city has enjoyed various periods of flowering of arts and culture, and the work of local gold and silversmiths (including Italians and Venetians resident in the city) is absolutely stunning, spanning the millennium between the 8th and 18th Centuries. The collection includes reliquaries for either entire saints or parts of them (e.g. hands, arms and heads), crucifixes, paintings, and vestements interwoven with gold and silver thread. The collection is presented in intimate and atmospheric surroundings, and is guaranteed to leave the most resolute non-believer awestruck. On the ground floor there is also a reconstruction of the former chapel of St Nediljica and examples of Romanesque masonry. QB‑3, Trg opatice Čike 1, tel. (+385‑23) 25 04 96/ (+385‑23) 25 48 20. Open 10:00 ‑ 13:00, 17:00 ‑ 19:00, Sun 10:00 ‑ 13:00. Admission 25/10 kn.

thE MuSEuM oF ANCiENt GLASS (MuZEJ ANtičKoG StAKLA) The museum is one of the city’s newest attractions. It’s housed in the 19th century Cosmacendi Palace and has some outstanding views that overlook the Jazine harbour. The museum contains one of the premium collections of Roman glassware outside Italy, with a cornucopia of goblets, jars and vials retrieved from archaeological sites across Dalmatia. Highlights include the delicate vessels used by Roman ladies to store perfumes, skin creams and essential oils. Also look out for glass cups used to celebrate Mass, and dainty flasks in which holy water was stored. Take the opportunity to see the replica Roman glassware on sale as this is one of the classiest souvenirstops in the city.QD‑2, Poljana Zemaljskog odbora 1, tel. (+385‑23) 36 38 31/(+385‑23) 36 38 30, www.mas‑ zadar.hr. Open 09:00‑21:00. Admission 30/10kn.

3d SCuLptuRAL REpRESENtAtioN oF ZAdAR It can be difficult to get a proper sense of the full scope of Zadar’s old town, and we’ve often longed for a 3D sculptural representation of it for afternoon perusal and contemplation. What’s more, we’d like the sculpture to be located next to the marina, for added beauty. What’s that? Our prayers have been answered? Hallelujah! Head to the marina to check out the work of Damir Mataušić, and get a better idea of where you’ve been walking in the process. QZadar City Walls, Muraj.

Parks

MuStApAN FoRESt pARK Looking for a way to entertain the kids while in Zadar? There are plenty of options, but the excitement and energy expelled at Musapstan Forest Park will guarantee a good night’s sleep for all involved. The park is a natural wonder just 10km outside the centre of Zadar, famous for its walking trails and playgrounds, great for escaping the summer heat and romantically ambling in the shade. Gorgeous.

quEEN JELENA MAdiJEvKA pARK (pERivoJ KRALJiCE JELENE-MAdiJEvKA) Vladimir Nazor Park is not the city’s oldest – that distinction goes the park named after Queen Jelena Madijevka (Medici), built on top of the Grimaldi bastion by Five Wells Square. Founded by Austrian commander Baron Franz Ludwig von Welden in 1829, a passionate botanist and admirer of Dalmatian flora, it was the first public park in Dalmatia. To create a garden on top of a military object was an unusual move, but one Zadar is eternally grateful for.QD/E‑3.

vLAdiMiR NAZoR pARK (pERivoJ vLAdiMiRA NAZoRA) Named since WWII after one of the most famous Croatian writers, Zadar’s biggest park lies on top of the city’s biggest fort, just east of the peninsula and the Land Gate. It was created in 1888-90 by an Austrian deputy, Dragutin Blažekovic, born to a noble family in Osijek (east Croatia). Despite working for the Austrians, he was a supporter of Croatian rights, and resigned when the Austrians refused to concede them. He left something beautiful to the city - a richly planted park with winding pathways, a pond, and an elevation giving great views of the sea. He died three years after it was completed, and the park was named after him – against his wishes.QE‑3.