Perivoj Vladimira Nazora

Perivoj Vladimira Nazora is Zadar's largest park, a shaded green retreat just beyond the old town walls where old trees offer a quiet break from the busy historic streets.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The park sits on a hill south of Zadar's old town, on ground once occupied by the city's military fortifications. From the historic center it's an easy ten-to-fifteen-minute walk: cross the bridge near the Land Gate and head toward the rise you can see over the rooftops. It's the simplest way to trade the hot stone streets of the old town for cool, tree-covered shade.

What's hidden beneath the park?

Few visitors realize that the paths of the park still run over the foundations of the 16th-century Forte fortress, built under the Venetian general Sforza Pallavicino. It once held barracks, storehouses, gunpowder magazines and water cisterns. When Zadar was a fortified city, the first public park was laid out on a hillock at the center of the bastion — the site of today's Nazor Park. The park itself was built between 1888 and 1890 on the initiative of Dragutin Blažeković, Austrian governor of Dalmatia. On opening in 1890 it was named the Military Park and, although accessible to the public, stayed under military administration. After the governor's death it was renamed Perivoj Blažeković in his honor, and later took its current name after Croatian poet Vladimir Nazor. Since 1968 the park has been protected as a monument of landscape architecture.

What will you see there?

Spread across roughly 5.5 hectares, the park holds close to 90 species of native and exotic trees and shrubs: cypress, pine, cedar, beech, elm, plane trees, palms, linden, yew and laurel. Winding paths lead through mature stands of trees to a small pond and to raised viewpoints with views over the harbor and the sea. The park is a favorite with families, joggers and locals looking for shade on hot days, and it also hosts local cultural and open-air events.

When should you visit?

The park is pleasant year-round, but spring and autumn bring the most out of it, with mild temperatures and especially lush greenery. In summer, at midday, the dense tree canopy provides real relief from the sun — a good alternative to the sun-baked stone squares of the old town. In the evening the park turns calm, and the sea views from its viewpoints are especially rewarding at sunset.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, the park is open to everyone free of charge, all year round.

How long does a visit take? Walking the main paths and stopping at the viewpoints usually takes 30–45 minutes.

Is the park suitable for children and older visitors? Yes, the paths are level and shaded, and the terrain is only gently sloped, making it easy to walk with a stroller or for visitors with limited mobility.

Are there any traces of the old fortress left? Yes, fragments of walls and fortification structures from before the park's construction survive in a few spots, a reminder of the hill's military past.