Zadar Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar is the largest church in Dalmatia and one of the best-preserved Romanesque buildings on the Croatian coast. It stands on the old-town peninsula, the historic heart of Zadar, and its tall bell tower is among the most photographed viewpoints in the area.

How did the cathedral come to be?

Christians have worshipped on this spot since late antiquity. In the 4th and 5th centuries a basilica was built here, originally dedicated to St. Peter. The dedication changed in the early 9th century, when the diocese of Zadar received the relics of St. Anastasia from the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I. Since then the church has carried her name, and she is regarded as the city's patron saint.

The three-nave Romanesque church seen today was raised mainly in the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1202 Zadar was besieged by the Venetians and the crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, and the cathedral was badly damaged. It was reconsecrated in 1285, and repairs, including work on the façade, were finished in 1324.

What makes the architecture special?

The cathedral follows the three-nave plan typical of Romanesque basilicas around the Adriatic. Its façade, calm and balanced in proportion, reflects Italian Romanesque traditions, particularly Tuscan and Lombard ones, while still sitting naturally in the Dalmatian landscape. It is worth walking around the whole building to see how its parts changed across the centuries.

The bell tower

The freestanding bell tower was built in stages. Work began in 1452, when the ground floor and first floor were completed. The upper storeys came only at the end of the 19th century, finished in 1893 to a design by the English architect and art historian Thomas Graham Jackson. The tower stands just a few metres from the rear wall of the cathedral and is not directly attached to it. At the top, a brass angel turns like a weather vane.

About 180 steps lead to the viewing platform. From the top you see the red roofs of the old town, the harbour and the islands facing Zadar, so the climb usually pays off, especially in the morning or before sunset.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cathedral? In the historic centre of Zadar, on the old-town peninsula, a short walk from other landmarks such as the Church of St. Donatus.

Who is the cathedral dedicated to? St. Anastasia, whose relics reached Zadar in the early 9th century. The earlier basilica on this site was dedicated to St. Peter.

When was it built? The present Romanesque cathedral was raised mainly in the 12th and 13th centuries, on the site of an early Christian basilica from the 4th and 5th centuries. After the damage of 1202, repairs continued until 1324.

How many steps does the bell tower have? About 180. The climb rewards you with a panorama of the city and coast.

Who designed the upper part of the bell tower? Thomas Graham Jackson, an English architect, whose design was completed in 1893.

Is the bell tower part of the cathedral building? No. It is a separate structure standing right behind the cathedral's apse.

Who is it for?

Anyone interested in Romanesque architecture, the medieval history of the Adriatic, or simply a good view over Zadar. Visiting the cathedral and climbing the tower fits easily into a stroll around the old town, which makes it a natural stop on a short city itinerary.