Plizio Visual Lab
Zadar Roman Forum
The Roman Forum in Zadar is the largest square of its kind on the eastern Adriatic coast, commissioned by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC. Measuring 90 meters in length and 45 meters in width, it served as the religious and administrative heart of the ancient settlement of Iader. The construction process spanned several centuries, reaching its final monumental form in the 3rd century AD with the completion of the porticos and the Capitolium. At the elevated section of the forum stood a grand temple dedicated to the Capitoline triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. During the Middle Ages, much of the site was dismantled to provide building materials for nearby structures, most notably the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus. Today, the original pavement stones and various architectural fragments remain visible to the public in an open-air setting. Two original columns have been preserved on site, one of which was used as a pillar of shame for public punishments during the medieval period.
Explore on the map
How well do you know Croatia?
Find cities, landscapes and regions in 10 varied challenges on the interactive map.
Your journey, your memory
A postcard from Zadar Roman Forum
Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.
Create a postcard- Location: Croatia
- Highlights: Church of St. Donatus · Biskupska palača · Kolomanov zvonik
- Nearby: Poljana, Ugljan (4 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 10 |
| Rain mm | 90 | 100 | 78 | 66 | 65 | 48 | 40 | 47 | 102 | 93 | 129 | 108 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Founded by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC
- The forum dimensions are approximately 90 by 45 meters
- Construction was fully completed in the 3rd century AD
- The Church of St. Donatus was built using stones from the forum
- One surviving column served as a pillar of shame in the Middle Ages
- Extensive archaeological excavations occurred after WWII bombings
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Zadar Roman Forum (10)
Zlato i srebro Zadra🏛 museum
Zlato i srebro Zadra is a museum in Croatia exhibiting gold and silver jewelry.
Tower of Sv. Stosija
The Tower of Sv. Stosija is a viewpoint tower in Zadar overlooking the old town.
Cathedral of Saint Anastasia
The Cathedral of Saint Anastasia is a cathedral in Zadar, seat of the Archdiocese of Zadar.
Samostan svete Marije
The Monastery of St. Mary is a Benedictine nunnery in Zadar from the 11th century.
crkva svetog Krševana
The Church of St. Chrysogonus is a Roman Catholic church building in Zadar, Croatia.
Hrvatsko narodno kazalište
The Croatian National Theatre in Zadar presents operas, plays and ballets.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Who ordered the construction of the Roman Forum in Zadar?
What was the original function of the forum?
Can you visit the forum for free?
What is the 'pillar of shame'?
Which church was built directly on the forum?
Zadar Roman Forum: where is it located?
Zadar Roman Forum: what is there to see?
Zadar Roman Forum: when is the best time to visit?
Zadar Roman Forum: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
