The Forum
The Forum
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- Ivan Mercadante BoscardinSao Paulo, SP7,592 contributionsMain historical landmark in ZadarThe main square of the ancient Roman city of Jadera was built between the 1st century BC and 3rd century AD. The Forum, 90m long and 45m wide, was limited on three sides by porticos with marble columns. In the current square are the foundations of public buildings, including a meeting hall, part of the original paving, several tavernae (rectangular trading areas) and a monumental pillar, used in the Middle Ages as a 'pillar of shame' (Stup srama or Pillar of shame).Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 June 2024
- Jordi Subirana LladóSant Vicenc de Castellet, Spain9,738 contributionsFirst century BCLocated opposite the church of St. Louis. Donatus, the heart of Zadar, can walk through this Roman-era square. It was built from the first century BC. until the third century AD. C. and its size is 45 by 90 meters. A short walk from the seafront is the elegant Roman Forum of Zadar. Built between the 1st century BC. and the third century AD. C., is one of the oldest and most important monuments in Zadar.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 August 2024
- claudie62Boulogne-sur-Mer, France1,495 contributionsThis is the sector that is interestingThe forum is a set of small pieces of columns that gives an idea of the place in Roman times. On the other hand, it is bordered by the round church of St-Donnat, symbol of the city, by the cathedral and the sea. The 2 main streets unfortunately have many low maintenance buildings which spoils their charm.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1 642 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
One of the main attractions in Zadar is the Roman Forum. The Forum in Zadar was built by the first Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian, as witnessed by the stone inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century, when the construction finished. It is the site of the original roman market place although little original pieces now remain save for a surviving pillar of a colonnade which was once the size of a football field.
It was once enclosed by a portico with galleries on the first floor, and under the portico there used to be shops and stalls.
Today, it honestly looks like a graveyard for old Roman columns with pieces scattered throughout the field without nothing really standing. Although there is not really much to see, it is worthwhile to walk through to gain a historical perspective of what the area must have once looked like. Passers-by may inspect the broken stonework, nothing is kept behind glass or under lock and key. But what is really interesting is that you will find many pieces recycled both inside and outside of Church of São Donato.
At the time of its full glory, the Forum was surrounded on three sides by a magnificent portico. Today, it is an inevitable square for strolling and one of the symbols of the city.
As an aside, we really enjoyed our time here, Zadar is one of Dalmatia’s larger cities, but it did not feel that way and has lots of interesting architecture. First settled by the Illyrians, the Romans, then Venetians, heavily bombed during WWII and held under siege during the Homeland War. We only spent two nights in Zadar – in hindsight, we could have used another day.
It was once enclosed by a portico with galleries on the first floor, and under the portico there used to be shops and stalls.
Today, it honestly looks like a graveyard for old Roman columns with pieces scattered throughout the field without nothing really standing. Although there is not really much to see, it is worthwhile to walk through to gain a historical perspective of what the area must have once looked like. Passers-by may inspect the broken stonework, nothing is kept behind glass or under lock and key. But what is really interesting is that you will find many pieces recycled both inside and outside of Church of São Donato.
At the time of its full glory, the Forum was surrounded on three sides by a magnificent portico. Today, it is an inevitable square for strolling and one of the symbols of the city.
As an aside, we really enjoyed our time here, Zadar is one of Dalmatia’s larger cities, but it did not feel that way and has lots of interesting architecture. First settled by the Illyrians, the Romans, then Venetians, heavily bombed during WWII and held under siege during the Homeland War. We only spent two nights in Zadar – in hindsight, we could have used another day.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piero C
Annapolis, MD775 contributions
Apr 2022
There's much left to the imagination here for travelers with some sense of the history. Here's where an excellent guide would help fill in the details when you are faced with two lines of stumps of old Roman columns. Equally intriguing is the roman column which still stands that was once used to tie miscreants to for unspecified forms of discipline.
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JulieShel
Noosa, Australia22 contributions
Sept 2019
The seemingly random relics of buildings allow you to touch the history lying at your feet.
Zadar is a planned city Quadrata layout undertaken by the Romans, & this, I'm told, is obvious to the educated eye, & thankfully is still preserved some 2 millenia later .
Following the earthquake in 6th Century much of the area was reduced to rubble & the medieval square & a Renaissance cistern were built.
I tried to include more info from a great website but you can sniff out more history ...
... I'm not going to do all the heavy lifting for you!
Zadar is a planned city Quadrata layout undertaken by the Romans, & this, I'm told, is obvious to the educated eye, & thankfully is still preserved some 2 millenia later .
Following the earthquake in 6th Century much of the area was reduced to rubble & the medieval square & a Renaissance cistern were built.
I tried to include more info from a great website but you can sniff out more history ...
... I'm not going to do all the heavy lifting for you!
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelhampster
Middletown, CT88 contributions
Jun 2023
We spent a late afternoon letting our small children run and play with other children in The Forum. In the evening, it turns into an outdoor hangout spot, much like an Italian piazza.
Come relax and watch visitors and locals mingle amongst the ruins.
Come relax and watch visitors and locals mingle amongst the ruins.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anoushka Vladek
Dublin, Ireland54 contributions
May 2023
Zadar's Forum is the heart of old Zadar, antique Roman centre from which all the rest developed. Walking between these thousands years old pillars and foundations of buildings, one feels like being transported in time - teleported. Should be visited in the sunset!
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BharathiMani
Bengaluru, India4 397 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
The town of Zadar is very quant and it's wonderful to spend a few hours walking around the town and taking in the sights. What I really liked about the forum is that it's not cordoned off and is a part of the town. So you can walk very close and imagine a different era. Unfortunately most of the forum was destroyed by an earth quake however a couple of columns still stand. There is one to which miscreants were tied to as a punishment.
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aarron
Pula, Croatia131 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Its a lovely place its in the centre of Zadar old town so massive history behind the forum. It has loads of old ruins, we were lucky as we managed to get alot of photos and got experiences which you normally have to pay for.
It does get very very busy so make sure you plan around when you want photos we managed to get photos in the evening and the day.
During the evening they do loads of events like mini events which are alot of fun and can see the history behind the forum.
Definitely a must see if you are in Zadar. But your more then likely going to come across it everyday.
It does get very very busy so make sure you plan around when you want photos we managed to get photos in the evening and the day.
During the evening they do loads of events like mini events which are alot of fun and can see the history behind the forum.
Definitely a must see if you are in Zadar. But your more then likely going to come across it everyday.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2extreme4U
Karlsruhe58 706 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The Forum in the old town of Zadar is a historical square from the Roman period. At that time, the Capitol and a temple were located here, among other things. The Church of St. Donatus was built on the foundations of the Forum. There is also a 14-meter-high Corinthian column on the Forum, which used to serve as a pillory.

Written 27 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Temer2
Horley, UK1 003 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Forum in the centre of S
Zadar is a lovely and interesting place to walk around. There is nice architecture and ruins to look at and we were told they run events during the evening in the summer. Allowing an hour to walk around would be plenty of time.
Zadar is a lovely and interesting place to walk around. There is nice architecture and ruins to look at and we were told they run events during the evening in the summer. Allowing an hour to walk around would be plenty of time.
Written 24 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dese2
Auburn, NY3 629 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I was so glad to see these remains of the Roman Forum. I have seen Roman ruins across Europe but never have I gotten this close. Here you can walk between the stones and even sit on them.
I didn't really see any signs that gave meaning to the area, so I just enjoyed it.
There is no cost to wander about.
I didn't really see any signs that gave meaning to the area, so I just enjoyed it.
There is no cost to wander about.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to travel by bus from Venice to Trieste, Croatia? And if you know how much?
Written 28 May 2018
Trieste is a city in Italy, not Croatia :) By bus it shouldn't take more than a hour by bus. Maybe even less.
Written 1 August 2018
We are traveling from Korcula to Vis, between May 27 -29, we have reservations of Vis the 29th. I thoughtI could travel directly from Hvar to Vis, but it doesn't seem so. Should I be booking our ferry/cateraman tickets right now via Split?
Written 18 May 2017
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