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Hystorical facts
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Region -The settlements of the Zadar county
came into existence in an area favourable for man's livelihood in the
very centre of the Croatian coast, enclosed by many islands and with
a lake, river and rich hinterland, protected harbours and extremely
appropriate climate are reasons why many an army frequented it - destruction
and reconstruction have always been a way of life.
Zadar has lived the life of a settlement for more than three millennia. The first written evidence is found in the fourth, and material evidence, in the ninth century B.C. The first inhabitants were the tribesmen of the Liburnia, but it receive its city features after the Roman conquest. At the beginning of the seventh century it became the capital city of Dalmatia and remained as such until 1918. In the eleventh century it was the seat of the Byzantine theme.
Apart from Zadar, as the seat of the County and the most important historical destination, it is worthwhile mentioning Nin, the oldest royal Croatian town and at the same time a Bishop's seat, where the Croatian state was born. Biograd, once a coronation town and Pag built according to plans drawn up by Juraj Dalmatinac, thus making them monuments to urban planning.
Zadar - ancient town with a 3000 year
long history. It started as a Liburnian settlement and then as
the Roman colony of Jadera. In the 6th century AD it came under
the authority of the Byzantine empire. A major influx of the Croatian
population into the town occured in the tenth century. From that
period the foundations of St. Mary's church, St. Krsevan's church
and the cathedral have been preserved.
In 1202 the town was burnt down by crusader soldiers and Venetians.
In the period that followed, the first gothic churches in Dalmatia
werebuilt such as St. Frane's church and St. Dominic's church.
In 1380 one of Zadar's most famous pieces of art was created -
St. Simon's silver coffin, ornamented with thirteen relief compositions.
At the beginning of the 15th century it came under the rule of
Venice, then Austria, France and Italy to eventually become part
of Croatia again after World War II.
Numerous are the monuments from those historical periods, which
bear testimony to the turbulent times Zadar went through, changing
its masters, culture and customs. In this respect it can be considered
a museums which displays several thousands-year-old achivements
in architecture of all styles. Among a great number of historic
monuments it is worth noting again some of the most famous. the
are: St. Mary's and St. Frane's church and monastery, St. Donat'
church, the Forum, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, St. Krsevan's
church, St. Simons's church, the Town Walls and fortresses.
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