May 21, 2026
Zadar, Croatia
The Church of Saint Donato
Built on the remnants of the Roman forum in the 9th century, the church was originally dedicated to the Holy Trinity in the 15th century and only later took the name of the bishop who oversaw its construction, Bishop Donatus.
It is the church is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia. It is also an example of the centralized type of the Carolingian period in Europe. (a Frankish noble family named after Charles Martel and his grandson Charlemagne, descendants of 7th-century clans)
Yes, it is a must on the tourist stops, and yes, I went in. But they were in the process of renovation, and I fell in love, spent far more time, and took far more pictures than I am sure the average visitor does.
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The remnants of the Roman Forum can be seen by simply looking at where the floor and the walls meet, both on the exterior and interior.
Pieces of old columns help build the foundation
Roman columns in the walls
The circular shape is typical of the early medieval age in Dalmatia.
The use of the church has varied during its lifetime; during the rule of the Republic of Venice, it was a warehouse, as well as during the French occupation and under the Austrians. After the city was annexed by Yugoslavia, it served as an archaeological museum from the end of the 19th century til 1954. It was sold by the Catholic Church to the Archaeology Museum, and they are responsible for the present restoration.
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The ceiling
Pieces of the Roman Forum throughout the church
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