ZADAR
Zadar is the main city of northern Dalmatia. W IX w. p.n.e. the area of today's old town was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of Liburni. In the Middle Ages, Zadar had the status of a free city. W X w. the city recognized the supreme power of Croatian kings. Then the city was ruled by the Venetians and Turks in turn, contributing to the fall of its glory. Dalmatia, along with Zadar, was incorporated into the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remained there almost throughout the 19th century, and in years 1918-1943 was under Italian rule. After the bombing, carried out by British and American aviation, the city was rebuilt. Fortunately, the original street plan has been preserved, Efforts were also made to harmoniously combine new construction with what was left of the old town.
Zadar was having a hard time again in November 1991 r., when Yugoslav rockets hit the old town. Despite the prolonged shelling by Serbs, the city did not suffer too much, but there are still bullet marks on some buildings. The Serbs were repelled by the Croatian army in an offensive in January 1993 r. and Zadar has become a safe city again.
Although there are still traces of the conflict here and there, narrow, the stone streets pedestrianized are teeming with life, and Zadar is again a fascinating destination for a wandering holiday. Magnificent fortifications from the 16th century. they protect the city from the land side, high walls run along the bay, and between them there are surprisingly many charming nooks and crannies. Zadar is famous for its maraschino cherry liqueur.
Orientation
The bus and train stations lie next to each other, 15 min walk southeast of the bay and the old town. Narodni trg is the focal point of the city. Zrinsko-Frankopanska Street runs north-west from both stations towards the bay. From the bus station to the port go buses marked "Poluotok”.
information
Croatia Express office is located on Siroka Street. American Express is represented by the Atlas travel agency (Branimir's Coast 12, tel.31439] located on the other side of the pedestrian bridge by the bay, north-east of the National Park.
Telephone calls can be made at the main post office at ul. Zrinsko-Frankopanskiej 8 (codz. 7.00-20.00). The international dialing code for Zadar is b023.
Sightseeing
The main sites worth visiting are located around the round church of St.. Donated, Byzantine building from the 9th century. built on the ruins of the Roman forum. In summer, music evenings are held here (concerts of renaissance and early baroque music). Opposite the church, in the Benedictine monastery, there is a wonderful Museum of Sacred Art (closed. pn.) with a rich collection of reliquaries and religious paintings.
Dating from the 13th century. romanesque cathedral of st. Anastasia was never fully rebuilt after the destruction, which took place during the Second World War. The Franciscan monastery, rising a few streets away, is well preserved. It's worth a great watch, Romanesque cross in the treasury behind the sacristy.
You can also visit the Archaeological Museum (closed. pn.) opposite the church of St.. Donata and the Ethnographic Museum. The National Museum is much more interesting, located just behind the Sea Gate. This impressive historical museum houses models of the city from different periods as well as old paintings and objects, from excavations in many coastal cities. The same admission ticket entitles you to enter a local art gallery. Most museums are closed in winter, and the captions for the exhibits are only in Croatian.
Organized trips
All tourist agencies in the city can provide information on cruises to the beautiful Kornati islands (codz., 40 $, including lunch and swimming in the sea or salt lake). Because it's the only way, To see 101 naked, uninhabited islands, islets and cliffs, it's worth spending money on this trip. Sometimes tours are canceled due to bad weather. Information is provided by the Kvarner Express at Kraljice Elizabete Kotromanić, Croatia Express at Śiroka street and Sunturist. Ships to Kornati depart from the marina near Hotel Zagreb.
Cyclical events
To the biggest, annual events include city fairs (VII and VIII), Dalmatian Song Festival (VII and VIII), Music Evenings in the Church of St.. Donated (VIII) and the Festival of Choral Music (X).
Accommodation
In Zadar it can be difficult to find accommodation without prior reservation. Perhaps the camping in Punta Bajlo is already operational (tel.22336). In case of problems, the solution may be to go to the town of Borik, a few kilometers to the northwest (buses from Zadar go there every 30 min).
Campsites – The assumption (tel.64444), situated next to the sandy beach, 16 km northwest of Zadar, it is open from May to September. Closer to Zadar, because right on the beach in Borik, is located Autocamp Borik (tel.23677).
Youth hostels – Borik Youth Hostel (Coast of Prince Trpimir 76, tel.443145) is located on the seashore, a few kilometers northwest of the city. Advance booking is advisable.
Private accommodation – They can be booked in advance at the offices: Compass (tel.433380) at ul. Siroka, Kvarner Express (tel.24864), at Kraljice Eliza-bete Kotromanić or Marlin Tours (tel.23599), Atlas Island. You can also turn to Turistićka Zajezdnica, the local tourist information office in Smiljanić, for help 1.
For a night in a double room in high season you have to pay approx 20 $.
Hotel – The only active hotel in the city is Hotel Kolovare (God street Perićicia, tel.433022), 200 m from the bus station (50 i 76 $ for a single and double room). Food is good here, you can also use the swimming pool and a separate beach.
New Park Hotels (tel.22177) and Borik (tel.332151), Are 25% cheaper than Kolovare.
Gastronomy
There are many places to eat well in Zadar. Self-service restaurant Samoposluzivanje located in the passage next to Nikola Matafara is highly recommendable 9 (open 7.00- 21.00, hot dishes from 3 $). In the Dalmacija restaurant, at the end of Queen Elizabeth Kotromanić, you can eat a good pizza, spaghetti, fish dishes, and try the local cuisine.
Restaurant Basket is also good on the corner of Obala Kralja Tomislawa and Marka Marulicia Street, at the southeastern tip of the bay.
The best bars in town are Central Kavana on ul. Śiroka and Bife Agava on Jurja Barakovic Street 6, near the Narodni Trg square.
Entertainment
At the ticket office of the National Theater at ul. Siroka can buy tickets for cultural events, advertised on posters on the outside of the cash register.
Journey
Train and bus – There is a daily train to Zagreb from Zadar (11 time., 12 $) with a change in Knin. Buses go to Zagreb (320 km), Rivers (228 km), Split (158 km), Mostar (301 km) and Dubrovnik (393 km, 4 daily, 16 $).
Ferries
Current information on ferry connections to Italy can be obtained from the Jadroagent agency on Natka Nodila street, located within the city walls.
Jadrolinija's office (Liburnian coast 7, tel.24343) at the port provide information on local ferry cruises, you can also buy tickets on site.
There are ferries from Zadar to Mali Lośinj once a week all year round (6 time., 8 $), and also to Pula (8 time., 9,30 $). They also call to Zadar 2 ferry services between Rijeka and Dubrovnik once a week (21 $ to Rijeka, 23 $ to Dubrovnik).
You can sail to Venice on the Manna ship (2 weekly, 14,5 time., 48 $) and Pula (4 weekly, 7,5 time., 19 $). The Jadrolinija Society operates the ferry line to Ancona (3 weekly, 6 time., 40 $).
On Mondays and Saturdays, there is a ferry to Zaglav on the island of Dugi Otok. You can go there on a day trip (on other days there is no return connection to Zadar). It can also be pleasant to take the ferry from Zadar to Silba and back, z 5 stops on smaller islands (9 time. round-trip). The shortest sea trip is a rowing boat ride across the bay from Liburska Obala to the Maraska breakwater (0,20 $).