The ruins of the Roman forum and the round Church of St Donatus in Zadar, Croatia

Roman Monument

Roman Forum & St Donatus

Zadar · Northern Dalmatia

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CATEGORY: Roman Monument
COUNTRY: Croatia
REGION: Zadar · Northern Dalmatia
DURATION: 1–2 days

ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION

The Roman forum and the Church of St Donatus are the ancient heart of Zadar, standing together on the main square of the old town. The forum was the civic centre of Roman Iader, its paving and columns still visible, and beside it rises the round Church of St Donatus, a 9th-century pre-Romanesque church that is the symbol of the city. The two together make the square the most layered single spot in Zadar — Roman, Byzantine and medieval Croatian in one place.

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

The story behind it

The forum was built in the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD as the civic square of the Roman colony of Iader, and its paving and column stumps survive in the modern square. The Church of St Donatus was built in the 9th century, originally dedicated to the Holy Trinity, on the edge of the forum in the pre-Romanesque style that marks the early Croatian kingdom. It was later named after Bishop Donatus, who commissioned it, and it now serves as a concert venue for its remarkable acoustics rather than a working church.

WHAT TO SEE

What to see here

The round pre-Romanesque mass of St Donatus, the symbol of Zadar.

The Roman forum paving and the surviving columns on the square.

The view from St Donatus over the forum and the bell tower of the cathedral.

The archaeological display inside St Donatus and the nearby museum.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why it matters

The forum and St Donatus are the ancient core of Zadar and the place where the city’s whole depth — Roman, Byzantine and Croatian — is visible at once. For a visitor it is the essential first stop and the image of the old town.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Before you go

Access

On the main square of the old town, a short walk from the waterfront; St Donatus is open to visitors, with concerts in summer.

Pairing

Combine with the cathedral and the Romanesque churches nearby.

THROUGH THE LENS

From the road

MAP & LOCATION