Narodni trg, or People's Square, is the main public square of Zadar's Old Town. It is framed by the City Guard building with its large clock tower and by the City Loggia, a Renaissance building that now mostly hosts public art shows. Cafes line the square, and stands sell local products. Come for a coffee or an ice cream, or simply to watch people pass. The square is open at all hours, and the surrounding streets lead to Five Wells Square and the shops of the old town.
From the Middle Ages to today
Narodni trg has been a centre of public life in Zadar since the Middle Ages. The square sits on the site of the old Large Square, where the foundations of the city's municipal institutions were laid in the early Middle Ages. Later, the City Lodge and the Church of St Peter the New were built here.
People once arranged appointments here, and the square still works as a meeting point. It is one of the Old Town's two main public spaces, and the city's major public celebrations take place here and on the nearby Kalelarga street.
The City Guard and its clock tower
The City Guard building, known in Croatian as Gradska straža, was designed by a Venetian architect in the late Renaissance style. Its large central clock tower is the feature most visitors notice first. The clock face is set in blue marble.
The stone barrier and railing around the building, with openings for cannons, were added later. The clock tower itself was built in 1798, during Austrian rule. The building once housed the ethnographic section of the National Museum. Today it is used for cultural exhibitions.
The City Loggia
The Renaissance City Loggia, called Gradska loza, stands on the other side of the square from the City Guard. It was built in 1565. Public edicts and court sentences were read from the loggia in the past.
The building now mostly functions as a public art gallery, so you can step in to see exhibitions while you walk the square.
St Lawrence's Church
The Romanesque Church of St Lawrence dates from the 11th century and is one of the oldest preserved buildings in this part of the city. It lies within the Sveti Lovre complex, tucked at the back of a cafe on the square.
The church is one of the historic buildings on the square that have been reused in recent years, with some used for shops and galleries.
Around the square
Narrow streets lead off the square toward Five Wells Square, built in the 16th century and a short walk along Kalelarga. Boutiques and small museums are close by, and stands on the square sell local products.
In the holiday season, the square and Kalelarga are lit with festive lights, and the area becomes a lively gathering place in the evenings.
Häufige Fragen
Is Narodni trg open all day?
Yes. The square is listed as open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Is Narodni trg wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
What is the best time to visit Narodni trg?
Early in the morning is the quietest time. The square gets crowded quickly because it is at the main entrance from the bridge.
Is Narodni trg good for children?
Yes, the square is listed as good for kids.
