The Roman Forum, Zadar

During the days of Julius Caesar, areas of today's Croatia came under the rule of the growing Roman Empire. Zadar became a Roman Colonia in 48 BC. It acquired all the characteristics of a Roman city: North-south and east-west crossroads, a capitol, a temple, and a forum.

Zadar's forum, commissioned by Emperor Augustus, was a vast area closed on three sides by a two-story portico with colonnades. The Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva was in the center. Today only the pavement and steps remain, with two monumental columns. One of the columns was at some time used as a pillory.

An earthquake in the 6th century demolished the forum. Most of the remains were used for other buildings. In the reconstructed capitol a sacrificial altar was discovered. It had runnels and recesses to catch the blood of animal sacrifices. On the west side of the capitol wall is a faded fresco of Cybele, the Great Mother of antiquity.

In late antiquity, foundations for a Christian basilica with annexes were laid, and the medieval square and a Renaissance cistern were built. Since 2011, the forum has become an active public space used for concerts, public events, and film festivals.