City Gates of Zadar – The Land Gate

City walls, fortifications and smaller buildings adorn the Old Town of Zadar, and among the historic monuments the City Gates should certainly be highlighted. The City Gates, or the Land Gate in Zadar, catch the eye and are a masterpiece of the Renaissance that, in one historical period, “walked” through the city.

Many gates were built through the city walls. There used to be as many as thirty, but only eight have survived to this day. When you enter the old part of town, you will pass through one of these gates. The City Gates of Zadar best testify to the wealth of historical moments that await you in the Old Town.

Near the bridge on the northern side stands the neo-Renaissance New Gate. It was opened during the period of Italian rule over Zadar, and leads to Narodni trg and Kalelarga.

St Roch's Gate opens a passage from the city harbour towards the city market, and nearby, in the Middle Ages, there used to be St Mary's Gate, or the Arsenal Gate. A little further on, on the site of the fish market, there was also the Slaughterhouse Gate. All these gates disappeared when the medieval wall was demolished and the Renaissance one built, of which only St Roch's Gate remains to this day. Immediately after its construction, in 1570, this gate was walled up, and it was reopened in the 19th century, when its inner side received a new architectural frame.

Between the ferry port in Zadar and the city market lies the Sea Gate. This gate is also known by the name St Chrysogonus's Gate, after the nearby church dedicated to this patron saint of Zadar. It was built in 1573 in honour of the victory of the Christian fleet over the Turks at Lepanto. Above the Roman arch and cornice is a large Renaissance plaque depicting the Battle of Lepanto, and above it a fine relief of St Chrysogonus. On the outer side of the gate, the upper part preserves an architectural frame around a winged lion – the symbol of the Venetian state.

The Land Gate – Old Town

The Land Gate was built in 1543 at the small harbour of Foša, and at that time it was the main entrance to the town. Today it bears witness to the Renaissance influence of that historical period, and is considered one of the most beautiful monuments from the era of Venetian rule in Dalmatia.

Above the gate is a triumphal arch with a passage for vehicles and two smaller passages for pedestrians on each side. The Land Gate is adorned with various scenes: the city coat of arms depicting St Chrysogonus on horseback, the coat of arms of the Venetian Republic depicting the Lion of St Mark, and several others.

Further to the west, on the site of the earlier medieval gate, stands St Demetrius's Gate. This gate was walled up for a long time, and was only reopened in 1873. Right next to the Arsenal is the Chain Gate, opened during the period of Austrian rule in 1877. This is also the smallest city gate, connecting the ferry port with the Arsenal and the Square of the Three Wells.

We have briefly mentioned the gates of Zadar, and for a detailed look and a chance to enjoy the details of history, we invite you to come and see them. Take a stroll through the old town centre and experience some of the fascinating historical moments of Zadar.