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Zadar was founded in prehistoric times, while the Roman period was at the time of its greatest prosperity. The city was built according to the principles of the Roman urban network, with the largest Forum and a huge temple on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. The ancient city remained up to early Middle Ages when it was burnt to ashes. But life went on. The best proof of this is the fact that the church of the Holy Trinity, from the 15th century refered to as the church of St. Donat. lt was built directly on the ancient Roman Forum while its foundations are made out of fragments of the Roman temple. The medieval and Christian Zadar was the centre of Dalmatia with numerous fortifications, churches and monasteries. During modern times some new monuments were built, and some of the old ones were modified. The present-day Zadar is a living monument of different historical eras that owing to the combination of circumstances transformed into a modern town. Each step leads you to the evidence of the encounter of different epochs: antique and medieval town walls with the Captain 's tower from the 13th century, antique pavement and medieval churches with city palaces from the 19th century, modern buildings stand next to medieval palaces and monasteries. The first University was founded in the 14th century within the Dominican monastery, Petar Zoranie wrote the first Croatian novel "Planine" ("Mountains") in Zadar where the Faculty of Arts was established in 1956. Zadar has always been a town of beauty and culture. The best proof of this fact is the exceptional Exhibition of Church Art situated within the Benedictine nunnery of St. Mary. Numerous valuable relics, stone ornaments and paintings demonstrate the riches of religious life. Another collection of high value is kept in the Archeological Museum, while the Scientific Library is one of the richest in Croatia. Zadar is also a town of picturesque ambiences. lts location on a flat peninsula in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea gives the town a certain particularity. The promenade around the peninsula offers an unforgettable impression of the sight of the islands at sunset. Walks around the old town are a real happening for each inhabitant of Zadar as well as for its visitors. Entering the town from the promenade shore you can enjoy the stories of the glorious past told by each historical stone remnant. The antique Forum with the monumental church of St. Donat and the church-tower of the cathedral make the familiar frame of pleasant repose in the mediterranean sun almost all the year around. Along cosy narrow streets you can experience the sweet scent of Dalmatian cuisine, hear the murmur of the people from numerous cafes, as well as the spontaneous sounds of Dalmatian songs. The street of Siroka leads to the main town square from the Forum. lt is the commercial and social artery of the town. The square, bordered by the Renaissance monuments: the City Loggia and the City Guardhouse, is the most popular meeting place for the inhabitants of Zadar. Further eastward is situated the medieval church of St. Simeon consecrated to the town protector St. Simeon. According to the legend from the 13 th century the tradition of the worship of St. Simeon began after the shipwreck of a vessel carrying the relics of the saint near Zadar. St. Simeon's chest, a precious goldsmith work made by the sculptor Francis of Milan in the 14th century is still kept in the church. Southward towards the shore you come to the old medieval part of the town with narrow streets and old houses pulsating with the intensity of life. Northward from the main street in direction of the city walls is the green and fish market, one of the richest on the Adriatic. Farther eastward is the Land Gate built in the 16th century according to the drawings of the Renaissance sculptor Michaele Sanmicheli. From the fortifications still surrounding the majority of the town you have an excellent view of the new part of the town, hotels, beaches and the "Maraska" factory well known for its over one hundred years' tradition of the production of the famous liqueur "Maraschino".
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