Zadar
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| Zadar | |
|---|---|
| Name | Zadar |
| Coordinates | 44, 07, N, 15... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Croatia |
| Subdivision type1 | County |
| Subdivision name1 | Zadar County |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Branko Dukić |
| Area total km2 | 194 |
| Population total | 75,082 |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | CET |
| Utc offset | +1 |
| Timezone DST | CEST |
| Utc offset DST | +2 |
| Postal code type | Postal code |
| Postal code | 23000 |
| Area code | +385 23 |
| Website | www.grad-zadar.hr |
Zadar. A historic city on the Adriatic Sea coast of Croatia, it serves as the administrative center of Zadar County. Known for its rich cultural heritage spanning Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian periods, the city is a major tourist destination famed for its unique architectural and artistic attractions, including the Sea Organ and the Monument to the Sun.
History
The site was originally a settlement of the Liburnians, an Illyrian tribe, before becoming a Roman colony under Julius Caesar named Iader. It flourished as a significant port within the Roman province of Dalmatia, with remnants like the Roman Forum still visible. Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it came under the control of the Byzantine Empire and was contested during the Early Middle Ages between the Croatian Kingdom and the Republic of Venice. After the Fourth Crusade's sack of Constantinople, Venetian authority was solidified, leading to centuries of rule that shaped its fortifications, such as the Land Gate designed by Michele Sanmicheli. The city endured a major siege in 1202 by Crusaders and was heavily bombed during World War II in the Allied bombing of Zadar. After a period under the Venetian Republic, it passed to the Habsburg Empire following the Treaty of Campo Formio, later becoming part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and modern Croatia.
Geography
Located on a peninsula in central Dalmatia, the city's core is the Old Town, surrounded by the Zadar Channel and facing the Zadar Archipelago, which includes islands like Ugljan and Pašman. Its coastline is characterized by the Karst topography common to the eastern Adriatic Sea, with the Velebit mountain channeling the Bora wind. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several settlements and the nearby Nin lagoon. Key natural features include the Kornati National Park and Paklenica National Park, both situated within the county.
Demographics
According to the 2021 Croatian census, the city proper has a population of 75,082, with the wider metropolitan area exceeding 170,000. The overwhelming majority are Croats, with small communities of Serbs, Albanians, and Bosniaks. Historically, the city had significant Italian and Ragusan populations, particularly during the Venetian and Austrian periods. The main religious affiliation is Roman Catholicism, with the Archdiocese of Zadar being one of the oldest in the region.
Economy
The economy is diversified, with strong sectors in tourism, shipbuilding, and agriculture. The Port of Zadar facilitates passenger ferries to the islands and cargo transport, while industries such as Maraska, known for its Maraschino liqueur, have historical significance. Major employers include the Brodosplit shipyard and the University of Zadar, one of the oldest in Croatia. The city is a hub for the surrounding region's production of wine, olive oil, and fisheries.
Culture and sights
A cultural center of northern Dalmatia, it hosts events like the Zadar Theatre Festival and the Musical Evenings in St. Donatus. Architectural highlights include the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, a premier example of Pre-Romanesque architecture, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, and the St. Chrysogonus's Church. Modern installations like the Sea Organ, an architectural sound art object, and the adjacent Monument to the Sun by Nikola Bašić are major attractions. Museums such as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Ancient Glass showcase its long history.
Transport
The city is connected by the Zadar Airport in Zemunik, the A1 motorway linking it to Zagreb and Split, and the D8 state road along the coast. The main railway station offers services on the Zagreb to Knin line. Local public transport consists of bus lines operated by Liburnija, and the Port of Zadar provides regular Jadrolinija ferry and catamaran connections to islands like Ancona in Italy and Premuda.
Category:Cities and towns in Croatia Category:Port cities and towns of the Adriatic Sea Category:Zadar County