Zadar Favorites

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Favorite thing: Saint Francis church, from 1283, is the oldest Dalmatian church built in Gothic style. This style is so-called type of Gothic monastic church characterized by single nave with a raised shrine. The church was renewed in the 18th century, completely changing appearance.
The sacristy of the San Francis is very important for the Croatian history because it was there that the peace was made between the Venetian Republic and Hungarian-Croatian King Ludovik Anzuvinac and by that act the Venetians gave up their pretensions to Dalmatia.
South from the church is also a Renaissance cloister, built in 1556, with a rich library.

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Favorite thing: Church of St. Zoilus is situated on the Roman capitol, just a foot from the church of Sv. Stosije. It was built in the late Baroque style at the end of the 18th century in a place of a medieval church with the same name, which at the time served the purposes of the Greek Orthodox congregation. The Greek congregation of Zadar were composed mainly by merchants, soldiers and sailors. The church preserving a wonderful collection of icons dating from the 16th to 18th century.

Fondest memory: During my last visit to Zadar, in August 2004, I have found out the church belongs to the Orthodox community of the town. Since it is under major reconstruction works now, it cannot be visited.

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Favorite thing: The Church and Monastery of Saint Michael is 14th century structure built in Gothic style. It has typically simple but very charming Gothic front facade with two long side windows. The portal of a church is adorned by a relief which shows St. Michael flanked by St. Anastasia and St. Chrysogonus. The interior is simple single-nave preserving a painted wooden semirelief of Romanesque crucifxion from me 13th century. The church was built in 1389 and renewed in the 18th century.

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Favorite thing: The belfry of the church was started in 1485, but the work progressed very slowly and it reached the present height in 1546, though it was never completed.
Four beautiful statues in white marble were placed on the altair in 1717, representing the patron saints of the city: Anastasia, Zoilus, Grysogonus and Simeon.

Fondest memory: The look of the rear side of St. Crysogamus Church

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Favorite thing: Since I yet have to find the place to write on bars I will make notice here, because this one was outstanding, comparing to other Zadar cafes: it's caffe bar Jazzva, in old part, in one of the back streets behind the walls.
Nice spot to have coffee or beer here. We had it only in the morning when we were waiting for the ferry so we were too early for their special offer - free hugs, which were to be 'offered' from 11 am til 1 pm, and then later in night.
Well, with or without hugs, this is lovely small place to sit down, unique, dressed in red, black and white, with vinil records as decoration, old wooden chairs, sewing machine... it shares vintage and feels seductive with its interior... and music. It's little dark inside but that only contributes to different ambience.
It's place to return.

Opened between 7 am and 12 pm at Nikole Matafara 7.

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Favorite thing: Zadar on the other side of peninsula (mainland) is pretty much inattractive part of the town except for the Borik beach and hotels resort. More or less it is kind of monument which displaying architectual styles from the 50 years period of time when the leading ideology was socialism.

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Favorite thing: Well, Zadar is lot more than its historic peninsula. Actually, that is only its smaller part, yet the place of interest of most people who'll ever visit. Beside beaches in vicinity.

Once you'll get a bit into 'everyday' Zadar, there's whole different picture. Like industrial zones. Sport centre Višnjik. Parking places for yachts and boats. Scars from latest wars. Shopping malls. Cafes in socialist-style blocks. Dead end streets and wide main ones. Traffic and local markets. Mix of everything. Post-modernity and transition and post WWII life. For all what is positive and negative about it. Kinda symphaetic mixture because of its inhabitants. Yes, they are the soul of the city.

Favorite thing: On this occasion, I'll give you One and Two useful links.