Land Gate, Zadar (must see)
In 1543 the small and narrow Fosa harbor was guarded by the newly built Gate of Stone (Kopnena Vrata), the "Land Gate." This was the main entrance to the port of Zadar, a part of the dominant Venetian Empire at the time. The imposing gate was designed and built by the famed Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli.
A military architect, Sanmicheli designed fortifications in a Mannerist style. Inspired by Greek architecture, he favored the use of Doric columns without bases in his creations. The Land Gate is in the form of a triumphal arch with three passages. The central passage is for wheeled traffic. Two side openings are for pedestrians.
Sectioned Doric columns flank the central passage. The arch keystone has a bas-relief of Saint Chrysogonus, the patron saint of Zadar, on horseback. Above the relief of the Saint, in a niche wide as the archway itself, is the winged Lion of Venice holding a stone plaque with a blessing in Latin addressed to Saint Mark.
A military architect, Sanmicheli designed fortifications in a Mannerist style. Inspired by Greek architecture, he favored the use of Doric columns without bases in his creations. The Land Gate is in the form of a triumphal arch with three passages. The central passage is for wheeled traffic. Two side openings are for pedestrians.
Sectioned Doric columns flank the central passage. The arch keystone has a bas-relief of Saint Chrysogonus, the patron saint of Zadar, on horseback. Above the relief of the Saint, in a niche wide as the archway itself, is the winged Lion of Venice holding a stone plaque with a blessing in Latin addressed to Saint Mark.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zadar. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Land Gate on Map
Sight Name: Land Gate
Sight Location: Zadar, Croatia (See walking tours in Zadar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zadar, Croatia (See walking tours in Zadar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Zadar, Croatia
Create Your Own Walk in Zadar
Creating your own self-guided walk in Zadar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zadar's Architecture Walking Tour
Zadar's architecture is a tapestry woven with the threads of Roman, Byzantine, and medieval influences, each contributing to a rich and vibrant heritage. Indeed, as you walk the streets of Zadar, you can't help noticing a plethora of ancient buildings reflecting the varied cultural influences imposed on the city over the centuries.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
This part of Croatia鈥檚 Dalmatian coast has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Zadar Introduction Walking Tour
Ancient Zadar presides over a spacious harbor from a rocky promontory once separated from the mainland by a deep moat. In 59 BC, it was decreed a municipality by none other than Julius Caesar. Germanic tribes, Byzantines, Slavs, Franks, and Ottomans, had all ruled the area at one time and left their marks. Venice ruled Zadar from 1409 to 1797.
Zadar Old Town is best explored on foot. Begin at... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Zadar Old Town is best explored on foot. Begin at... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles