The Church of St Donatus
The Church of St Donatus is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Zadar audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Zadar Zadar guide
About The Church of St Donatus
The great round pre-Romanesque church that is the symbol of Zadar, raised in the ninth century on the Roman Forum from its stones. Long a store, now a concert hall prized for its extraordinary acoustics.
The Church of St Donatus is the best-known monument of Zadar, a massive cylinder of pale stone rising on the northern edge of the Roman Forum. It was begun in the ninth century and is said to be named for Bishop Donatus of Zadar, a churchman and diplomat of the age. Built in the centralised, Carolingian manner, with three apses and a gallery running around a tall central space, it is counted among the largest pre-Romanesque buildings in Croatia.
It was raised directly on the Roman Forum, using blocks robbed from the ruins; a Roman altar stone, inscribed to Juno and Jupiter, is built into its base. Known at first as the Church of the Holy Trinity, it was later renamed for Donatus. It has served as a store under Venice, France and Austria, and no services are held there now. Prized for its acoustics, it is the home of a summer festival of medieval and Renaissance music.
Did you know? The round Church of St Donatus, begun in the ninth century and named for a bishop and diplomat of Zadar, is the symbol of the city and among the largest pre-Romanesque buildings in Croatia.
How long should you spend at The Church of St Donatus?
Plan about ~30 min at The Church of St Donatus. 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 Church of St Donatus worth visiting?
The Church of St Donatus 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 2 of the Zadar in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of The Church of St Donatus
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