Zadar

Lights, music, action!

Zadar is probably best known for The Garden Festival (among many), one of Europe’s top festivals which will run from 4 -11 July 2012 in the neighbouring village of Petrcane. But there’s more to this Dalmatian city than parties and music. For a number of years it was under the rule of the Venetians who called it Zara. Almost everyone here speaks Italian. Zadar has a dynamic, buzzing atmosphere and it’s surprising
that it took a while for Brits to discover it – they have now!

Once the ancient capital of the Dalmatia region, the city has a small, historic centre, a great cultural and music scene and some drop dead gorgeous little islands in the archipelago. If you get a chance, take a boat to explore!

Zadar is superbly positioned for visits to much of Dalmatia together with some of Croatia’s national parks: Krka, Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes and the Kornati island chain, which form a national park themselves.

There’s also a delightful method of public transport – the barkajol, like a wide gondola with expert boatmen who row you from the town centre shore across the water to the northern side of town. Zoom into modern times and see Zadar’s two eclectic outdoor installations on the seafront, both designed by a local architect: the Sea Organ – a set of underwater pipes which produces haunting musical notes that are more pronounced when the sea is choppy and the Greeting to the Sun – a huge disc set into the ground which captures solar power during the day and produces a dazzling display of coloured lights when darkness falls.

Be sure to try the maraschino cherry liqueur, made here since the 16th century. The original factory is now empty, although the building is quite majestic and the rumour of it becoming a five star hotel in the future is gathering pace.

Around Zadar you’ll see mention of the legendary film maker Alfred Hitchcock who, during a short visit in 1964, famously commented on the beauty of both the sunsets and the local women.

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