The Land Gate
The Land Gate is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Zadar audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~20 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Zadar Zadar guide
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About The Land Gate
The grand Renaissance gateway into the old town, built in 1543 by the Venetian architect Sanmicheli: a triumphal arch crowned by the winged Lion of St Mark and the city's patron, St Chrysogonus, on horseback.
The Land Gate, Kopnena vrata, was the main landward entrance to Zadar, completed in 1543 to a design by the Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli, Venice's great military engineer. It takes the form of a Roman triumphal arch, with a wide central passage for carts and smaller openings for people on foot. Its outer face is richly carved, while the town side is left plain.
Above the central arch spreads a large winged Lion of St Mark, the emblem of Venice, and below it the city's patron saint, Chrysogonus, is carved on horseback. The gate stands at the southern edge of the old town beside the little Foša harbour, set into walls that Venice raised to make Zadar the strongest fortress in Dalmatia. Those fortifications were listed by UNESCO in 2017.
Did you know? The Land Gate, completed in 1543 to a design by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli, was the main landward entrance to Zadar, shaped like a Roman triumphal arch with a central carriage passage and smaller openings for pedestrians.
How long should you spend at The Land Gate?
Plan about ~20 min at The Land Gate. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is The Land Gate worth visiting?
The Land Gate is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Zadar, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Zadar
Day 1 of the Zadar in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of The Land Gate
Preview the Zadar tour free in the Gingerguide app.