Permanent Ecclesiastical Art Exhibition in Zadar

The Permanent Exhibition of Religious Art in Zadar — locally known as "Zlato i srebro Zadra" (Gold and Silver of Zadar) — ranks among Croatia's most valuable collections of church art, housed within the former Benedictine convent attached to St. Mary's Church in the heart of the old town.

What is this place?

The idea for the exhibition dates back to 1951, when the Croatian writer Miroslav Krleža drew national attention to the extraordinary treasury held by Zadar's Benedictine nuns, dedicating one of his celebrated essays to it. The collection was formally organized into a public exhibition in 1972, and its current premises — convent rooms rebuilt after wartime damage — opened to visitors later in that decade. Ever since, the Benedictine sisters of St. Mary have remained the custodians of the collection, the same community that safeguarded these objects through centuries of raids, fires, and wars.

What will you see inside?

Spread across roughly 1,200 square meters and eight exhibition halls, the display covers artifacts made between the 8th and 18th centuries: gold and silver liturgical vessels, Gothic reliquaries shaped as caskets, hands, and busts of saints, illuminated manuscripts, embroidery, tapestries, sculptures, and reliefs. One of the most distinctive parts of the exhibition is a reconstructed interior of the 11th-century Old Croatian church of St. Nediljica, offering a rare glimpse of how the region's earliest churches were furnished. Taken together, it forms the most complete display of ecclesiastical art in Croatia, both in scope and artistic significance.

How do you get there?

The exhibition sits at Trg opatice Čike 1, right in the pedestrian core of Zadar's old town, just steps from the Roman Forum and the Church of St. Donatus — two of the city's busiest landmarks. Coming on foot from the old harbor or the main promenade, simply head toward St. Mary's Church, whose bell tower is visible from a distance and serves as a natural landmark. Because the site sits inside the car-free old town, walking is by far the most practical way to arrive; parking is available outside the city walls.

When should you visit?

The exhibition operates on a seasonal schedule, with longer opening hours in summer and a reduced timetable outside the peak season, so it's worth confirming the current hours by phone or on site shortly before your visit. A full visit typically takes 45 to 60 minutes and pairs naturally with a stroll through the old town — the Forum and St. Anastasia's Cathedral are both a short walk away. Given the modest size of the halls, visiting in the early morning or late afternoon during peak season helps you avoid the busiest crowds.

Why is it worth a visit?

Few places let you trace over a thousand years of Adriatic sacred art in a single visit — from early medieval reliquaries to Baroque liturgical silverware. For anyone interested in history, craftsmanship, or ecclesiastical architecture, this remains one of Zadar's most significant sights, and one that still draws far fewer crowds than the city's better-known landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the exhibition located? At Trg opatice Čike 1 in Zadar, inside the Benedictine convent of St. Mary, right next to the Roman Forum.

How long does a visit take? Usually between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on your pace and interest in each hall.

Is it open year-round? Yes, but opening hours change with the season — longer in summer, shorter outside peak season — so it's best to check ahead of your visit.

What makes this collection stand out? The reconstructed interior of the 11th-century Church of St. Nediljica and the sheer completeness of the collection, which spans eight uninterrupted centuries of church art, making it unique in Croatia.