Project Description

The city walls of Zadar together with other five components create UNESCO site Venetian Works of Defence of the 16th and 17th century. For centuries Zadar was the capital of Venetian Dalmatia and the main port of Serenissima on the eastern side of the Adriatic. Consequently the city built on a peninsula was surrounded by strong walls and bastions built in ‘alla moderna’ technique with monumental renaissance land gates. Modern times brought new requirements so for decades there was a road built upon the city walls. Lately, things changed and the city of Zadar began a huge project of restoration, regulation and revitalisation of it’s impressive walls. The project implies conversion of the road into a promenade for walks and encounters of the locals and their guests. Project named ZADAR BAŠTINI is supported by European Regional Development Fund through the Operational programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020.

Zadar was once big city-fortress. City defence walls allowed the citizens to stay safe during wars between Venetian Republic and Ottoman Empire. Although the city was surrounded by Ottomans, it was never captured by them.

Porta Terraferma and south-east curtain wall. Integral part of the Walls and the most impressive part is the Land Gate or Porta Terraferma, the main historical entrance to the city built in 1543 by Michele Sanmicheli, a famous Venetian architect.

 

Rennesisance city walls are nicely preserved on the east and north side of the peninsula- visible in the lower part of the photo. The road that runs upon the walls is now removed and the project of restoration and revitalization of the walls is being carried out.

 

Instead of the road a nice promenade of almost 800 meters, with cultural, educatinal and turistical contents will be arranged on top of the city walls.