In the middle of the 2nd century BC, Zadar was slowly settled by the Romans. The establishment of the Roman province of Illyricum occurred around 33 BC. From this, Zadar became a flourishing city on the eastern Adriatic coast. Built as a roman street plan, the city had a discernable center with a Roman forum and fortified city walls. Zadar eventually came under Venetian authority and much of the architecture of Zadar reflects Renaissance principles.
Important landmarks, monuments, architecture:
- Church of St. Francis
- Cathedral of St. Anastasia
- Roman Forum
- Archaeological Museum
- Cathedral of St. Lawrence
Church of St. Francis
The Church of St. Francis is a Gothic style church and monastery dating back to the 13th century. It was a focal point of all religious life in Zadar. It was also home to the Franciscan school, now the University of Zadar.
Source: www.shoretrips.com
Cathedral of St. Anastasia
The Cathedral of Saint Anastasia, or Zadar Cathedral, as it is more commonly known as, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Zadar, Croatia. The origins of the church date back to a 5th century Christian basilica, though the main church was a Romanesque construction of the 12th and 13th centuries. The Cathedral of St. Anastasia is in the UNESCO World Heritage site list.
Source: goeasteurope.about.com
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum in Zadar is situated on the eastern side of the Adriatic. Founded by the Emperor Augustus, inscriptions are present which date the forum from the 3rd century. Many parts of Roman monuments were used to construct the forum, most notable being part of a Roman aqueduct outside of the ramparts.
Source: europeforvisitors.com
Cathedral of St. Lawrence
Located in Trogir, the Cathedral of St. Lawrence is a Roman Catholic cathedral which is one of the most famous structures in the city. It was built on the site of an earlier Christian cathedral, which was destroyed in the 12th century during a raid. The current cathedral began in 1213 and was finished in the 17th century. The cathedral of St. Lawrence was one of the earliest examples of archaic Dalmatian architecture.
Source: opentravel.com
Bibliography:
Goldstein, Ivo. Croatia: A History, London: Hurst & Company, 1999.
Norwich, John Julius. Croatia: Aspects of Art, Architecture, and Cultural Heritage, London: Frances Lincoln Limited Publishers, 2009.
Tanner, Marcus. Croatia: A Nation Forged in War, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.