Zadar Land Gate

The Land Gate was completed in 1543 to a design by Michele Sanmicheli, the Veronese architect who did most of Venice's frontier fortifications, and it is deliberately not just a gate: it is built as a Roman triumphal arch, with a large central passage, two smaller side openings and the winged lion of St Mark above, so that arriving at Zadar meant walking through a statement about who held it. It forms part of the defensive system inscribed by UNESCO in 2017 as Venetian Works of Defence, along with the walls and the St Nicholas fortress at Sibenik. The Fosa harbour sits directly in front of it.

What you actually see

• A gate built as a triumphal arch - three openings and the lion of St Mark.
• Sanmicheli's design of 1543 - Venice's frontier fortification architect.
• Part of a World Heritage listing - Venetian Works of Defence, 2017.
• The Fosa harbour in front - small boats below the walls.

When to go

Year round; it is an open structure in the street. An hour.

Honest expectations

This is one gate and takes minutes to look at - the walls walk around it is the fuller visit. It sits on a busy road with traffic through the arch. Interpretation on site is minimal.

Nearby

The Roman forum and Sea Organ are on the peninsula; Nin is north.