EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN THE CENTRE OF ZADAR

Thanks to its favorable peninsular position, and the town walls that have been spared during the Migration of Peoples, the town of Zadar presently has many old churches, some of which are even now in regular use. The most significant landmark is undoubtedly the ancient archdiocesan centre built on the old Roman forum, where in ancient tabernas the first Christian oratory was erected. Later on, the basilica, baptistery, space for the preparation of baptizees, and other sacral and residential amenities, were built in the immediate vicinity of this central area. Many of these historical sites have been either partly preserved or archaelogical traces of their existence have been destroyed for various reasons, as well as those the existence of which is now known only through historical records, and those whose early Christian origin can be no more than assumed. It is interesting to note that older Zadar three-nave basilicas are characterized by a special architectural style with a specific length to width ratio, interesting shape and size of apses, triumphal arch on columns, and big biforas on the sides.