Zadar Travel Guide
Zadar is the centre of North Dalmatia and one of Croatia's largest cites that enjoys an exceptional location on the Adriatic coast between Split and Rijeka. It is surrounded by about 300 islands on the sea side and magnificent parks in the interior.
Zadar Airport located 8 km away from the city centre receives flights from Croatian and European cities. The bus, train and ferry terminals that can be found right in the old part of the city operate numerous national and international lines, including fast trains to Zagreb, ferries to coastal towns, catamarans to Pula, etc. New highways enable a fast Zadar travel by car from Split (160 km), Zagreb (280 km).
The old city centre that occupies a whole peninsula is fortified with Venetian walls and framed with long waterside promenades. The newer districts skirt the coastline in both directions, thus forming an extraordinary blend of ancient and modern cultures. The Riva promenade is a favourite strolling place for tourists and locals where some unique attractions for a Zadar travel can be found. This is also the best place to watch delightful sea sunsets which were once extolled by Alfred Hitchcock.
Zadar history
Zadar is a very ancient city that has been destroyed and reconstructed time and again in the course of its turbulent 3000-year-old history. It made a significant contribution to the cultural and literary heritage of Croatia as the place where the country's first university was established (1396) and the first Croatian novel was published (1536).
The continuance of human life in the region dates back to the Stone Age. In the 9th century BC the Illyrian tribe of Liburnians founded a settlement in the area. In 48 BC the Romans made Zadar their colony and it soon acquired its characteristic urban layout which is still preserved and can be studied during a Zadar travel.
As a result of the7th century decline of the Western Roman Empire the town came under Byzantium as the capital of its province of Dalmatia. In 1105 it acknowledged the authority of the Croatian-Hungarian kings and in the following centuries had to face continual Venetian attacks. In 1409 Zadar was sold to Venice by the Hungarian King Ladislas and in the 16th century got enclosed by ramparts to repulse the Turkish attacks.
The collapse of the Venetian Empire in 1797 brought Zadar under the French (1805-1813) and then the Austrians (1813-1918). According to the Rapallo Treaty of 1920 it became part of Italy and it was not until 1944 that it re-joined Yugoslavia. During the 20th century the city was severely damaged twice, first in World War II and second in the war of independence (1991-1993) when many towns in Croatia were bombarded.
These days the city has re-gained its former splendour, so a Zadar travel is again an entrancing experience to enjoy.