Church of St. Donat
Church of St. Donat
4
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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- Ivan Mercadante BoscardinSao Paulo, SP7,592 contributionsMain Roman temple in the ruins of Zadar's old townThe Church of the Holy Trinity, which later adopted the name of its founder, Bishop Donato, is one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine architecture in Dalmatia. It was built at the beginning of the 9th century on the paving stones of the ancient Roman Forum and has a circular floor plan, with three circular apses. The interior has a women's gallery that runs throughout the church and creates an upper floor. Since 1997, São Donato has not been used as a church, but, due to its good acoustics, it hosts many concerts. Address: Forum Square. Open every day from 9am to 5pm.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 June 2024
- TravelBrianCOPearland, Texas966 contributionsConverted churchEnjoyable quick walkthrough (nominal entry fee). A converted 9th century church that is now used for musical events. You can walk around the main and top levels. They have left some of the construction original so you can see the history.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 July 2024
- fabito2015Brasilia, DF672 contributionsImpermeable the union between the Roman and the medievalThe Church of St. Donato refers to Donato of Zadar, who began the construction of this church in the ninth century and finished in the northeastern part of the Roman forum. Originally called the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, in the 15th century it was again dedicated to St. Donato. Near it are the remains of an ancient Roman market. Built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD, it was one of the largest of its kind east of the Adriatic Sea.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 August 2024
- Geeske P54 contributionsBeautiful and impressiveIt's really beautiful and impressive. Read the story of the church and ruins beforehand, which makes everything even more impressive. It is a big contrast that there are stalls all around with the same modern souvenirs, which makes it very busy, even with people who do not come for the church. But if you go early in the morning this won't bother youVisited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Big_Jeff_Leo
St Helens, UK22 535 contributions
May 2022
Its name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. The oldest of the churches in Zadar, It has has exceptional acoustic characteristics and has been used for concerts. Do not expect elaborate interiors because it does not have any but the views from the interior are worth it and the entrance fee is very reasonable.
Written 15 June 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.
2extreme4U
Karlsruhe58 706 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The Church of St. Donatus (Croatian: Crkva sv. Donat) is a large Catholic church with a circular floor plan, the construction of which began in the 9th century. It is located on the forum in the heart of Zadar's old town. From the outside it is a beautiful photo opportunity, but the interior is less worth seeing. The entrance fee of €5 is therefore far too high, and it is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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.
leonelmoura
Sao Paulo, SP1 089 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Church of São Donato and the Tower of Bells.
Commissioned by Donato of Zadar (the church's namesake comes from the 13th century), the building dates back to the 9th century and is now a classic representation of Dalmatian Byzantine architecture. Paid visits with separate entrances.
Commissioned by Donato of Zadar (the church's namesake comes from the 13th century), the building dates back to the 9th century and is now a classic representation of Dalmatian Byzantine architecture. Paid visits with separate entrances.

Written 15 September 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.
Relax53260368740
6 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This church is referred to as one of the highlights in Zadar. The Roman site surrounding it and the church itself are nice to visit, but €3 entrance fee per person to arrive in a completely empty church with no information was disappointing. There would be a light show in the evening, so I recommend going earlier.

Written 11 September 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.
Maria Carmela P
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
That was Zara's biggest catch. I may not have a sense of art, but paying 3.50 euros to visit an empty stone hexagon with renovations even badly done even not! Recommendation to anyone to look at it from the outside without wasting money (which you can use to buy a great börek)
Automatically translated
Written 18 August 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.
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1 642 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
It was built in the early 9th century on the paving stones of the former Roman Forum and has a circular ground plan with three circular apses.
This monumental pre-Romanesque round building, traditionally but erroneously said to have been erected on the site of a temple of Juno, is the most important preserved structure of its period in Dalmatia. The massive dome of the rotunda is surrounded by a vaulted gallery which also extends around the inside.
Inside, climb up some stairs and take a look down from the women’s gallery which is supported by six pilasters and two roman columns which border the circular nave and divide the structure into two floors.
We did not have to pay to enter the church and we did not climb the tower.
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.
This monumental pre-Romanesque round building, traditionally but erroneously said to have been erected on the site of a temple of Juno, is the most important preserved structure of its period in Dalmatia. The massive dome of the rotunda is surrounded by a vaulted gallery which also extends around the inside.
Inside, climb up some stairs and take a look down from the women’s gallery which is supported by six pilasters and two roman columns which border the circular nave and divide the structure into two floors.
We did not have to pay to enter the church and we did not climb the tower.
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.
Tully G
Texas31 contributions
Oct 2022
The history, unfortunately, is not displayed in the building itself, however you can learn about it in the Archaeological Museum across the forum. You must use your imagination to see the wonder this edifice once was. I believe it is a missed opportunity, even to showcase its current use at a concert venue. I am not sorry I visited but a little disappointed in what I did not see.
Written 17 October 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.
David S
Middlesbrough, UK2 397 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Located in the heart of the city and on the ruins of what was an ancient forum, the venue is now widely praised for its integral acoustics and music events are apparently often held within the site. 3 Euros to enter but, in truth, not that much to see. Still it is an interesting, if not short, distraction.
Written 30 September 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.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12 810 contributions
Oct 2021
The 9th-century Church of St Donatus is, believed to have been built by Bishop Donatus on the foundations of a Roman temple. Our guide said that this is perhaps the most interesting church on in the eastern Adriatic; it is circular in plan and boasts three naves.
Unfortunately, we were unable to see inside. Even though very historic, it wasn't that interesting from the outside but I would have loved to see the interior
Unfortunately, we were unable to see inside. Even though very historic, it wasn't that interesting from the outside but I would have loved to see the interior
Written 8 January 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.
1girl_1passport
Vancouver, Canada1 284 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
One of oldest church’s in Zadar. Located within the Roman Forum.
The Church of St Donatus is a church located in Zadar, Croatia. Its name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum.
Originally named Church of the Holy Trinity, in the 15th century it was re-dedicated to St Donatus.
The price for entering church is 20 HRK and you will need to pay extra to enter the museum (30 HRK more)
We chose not to enter as we heard there was not much to see inside. I would say it would be better to spend your money on the Bell Tower.
The Church of St Donatus is a church located in Zadar, Croatia. Its name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum.
Originally named Church of the Holy Trinity, in the 15th century it was re-dedicated to St Donatus.
The price for entering church is 20 HRK and you will need to pay extra to enter the museum (30 HRK more)
We chose not to enter as we heard there was not much to see inside. I would say it would be better to spend your money on the Bell Tower.
Written 12 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.
Elizabeth S
Seattle, Washington
Under “hours” it says the church is open 24 hours. I assume that isn’t correct.. right?
Written 16 January 2020
Zadar Tourist Board website suggests that from April through October it is open from 9am until 5pm in spring and fall, or until 9/10pm in the summer. There is some confusing wording regarding whether it is open at all from November through March.
Written 16 January 2020
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