Zadar, Croatia, is a historical city with a rich heritage dating back more than three thousand years and renowned for its beautiful architecture, panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea shoreline, and rich cultural heritage. Zadar has blossomed into a popular tourist destination and is now often considered among Europe’s top tourist destinations. To be sure, but what of Zadar’s past? How did it change to become the charming metropolis it is now?

Come along as we take you on a journey through Zadar’s history, from the days when it was part of the Roman Empire to the days when it was part of the Italian Empire, and on up to the current day, when you can find out what to expect from one of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia. Here is the The History Of Zadar for you.

Zadar’s Past: The Cradle of Civilization

Zadar as we know it now was only in its early stages when Romans arrived in the region in the second century. During this time, the city’s fundamental design began to take shape, with the building of its walls, roads, gates, and many of its most recognisable historic monuments. Some of the attractions that are still standing and can be visited on Zadar sightseeing tours include the Capitolium, the Pillar of Shame, and the Roman Forum.

Zadar’s rich past

A tribe of Illyrians called the Liburnians settled in the area in the seventh century, laying the groundwork for the city’s eventual expansion. Zadar, Croatia, was formerly governed by one set of laws, but that all changed quite quickly. As the Croatian state emerged inland around the end of the 9th century, it didn’t take long for Croat officials to seize control of Zadar.

The city’s population grew as a consequence of the influx of new Croatian immigrants after the change. It was during this period that the city flourished into one of the most major commercial cities along the Adriatic coast, making it often considered the city’s heyday.

The city’s prosperity led to the funding of several one-of-a-kind structures. As a result, the buildings in the city have their own style. When it comes to Gothic church building, Zadar was an early pioneer among Dalmatian towns. The Church and Monastery of St. Dominic and the Monastery of St. Francis of Assisi were both built during this time and are now recognised as some of the first examples of Gothic architecture.

Customized trips to Zadar may be designed to include stops to some of the city’s most beautiful churches. Talk to the friendly people at Adventures Croatia, and we’ll help you create a custom itinerary that suits your preferences.

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Rapid growth and eventual fall of the Venetian Republic Zadar posed a threat to the neighbouring regions because of its newfound prominence. In an effort to assert control over Zadar, the Republic of Venice launched many attacks against the city’s thriving economic centre. The Hungarian King Ladislas of Naples tried many times without success to sell the city of Zadar to the Venetians, but in 1409 he did so for the amount of 100,000 ducats.