Zadar Cathedral

Welcome to the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia, the largest and most significant ecclesiastical structure in all of Dalmatia. As a professor of medieval art, I am delighted to introduce you to this monumental basilica, which…

We begin our study at the western facade, one of the most celebrated examples of Romanesque design in the Mediterranean. The facade is divided into three vertical sections, reflecting the three naves within. …

Step inside and be struck by the sheer volume of the cathedral's interior. This is a classic three-nave basilica, with the central nave being twice the width of the side aisles. …

As we reach the sanctuary, our attention is drawn to the High Altar and the magnificent choir behind it. The high altar is a masterwork of stone, but the true treasure is the wood-carved choir stalls dating from the 15th century. …

In the north apse of the cathedral lies the most sacred object in Zadar: the marble sarcophagus of Saint Anastasia. This simple but monumental stone chest dates from the 9th century and was commissioned by Bishop Donatus to house…

Before we conclude our interior tour, we should look for the remnants of the early Christian past that lie beneath and around us. In some sections of the cathedral, especially near the baptistery, you can see fragments of…

Our final stop within the cathedral is a reflection on its darkest hour: the Siege of 1202. The Fourth Crusade, originally intended for the Holy Land, was diverted to Zadar to pay off a debt to the Venetian Republic. …

As you step out of the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia and back into the vibrant sunlight of the forum, take a moment to reflect on the immense scale of what we have just explored. We have walked through fifteen hundred years of…