Bell Tower, Zadar

Bell Tower, Zadar

Zadar's Bell Tower is an impressive and recognizable structure, boasting stunning city views from its elevated location. A part of the Church of St. Anastasia, the tower's Baroque architectural style features numerous stairs leading to its high peak.

The Bell Tower was constructed on two separate occasions. The cathedral's ground floor and first floor were built in 1452, during the tenure of Archbishop Vallares. In contrast, the upper floors were added between 1890 and 1894 by English architect and art historian Thomas Graham Jackson, modeled on the bell tower in Rab.

The tower's three newer upper floors are enclosed on all sides by double biforas, with a flat wall surface adorned with stylized plant mosaic designs. The floors are demarcated by cornices that feature slight mesh decorations. At the top of the Bell Tower, there is a tall eight-sided pyramid culminating in a brass statue of an angel.

Shortly after the completion of the Bell Tower in 1894, damage appeared at the joint of the old and new sections. Architect and conservator Ćiril Iveković determined that the weight of the heavy bells caused the vibration leading to the damage. Consequently, in 1900, Iveković replaced the iron brackets with wooden ones.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zadar. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Bell Tower on Map

Sight Name: Bell Tower
Sight Location: Zadar, Croatia (See walking tours in Zadar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Zadar, Croatia

Create Your Own Walk in Zadar

Create Your Own Walk in Zadar

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zadar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zadar Introduction Walking Tour

Zadar Introduction Walking Tour

Ancient Zadar presides over a spacious harbor from a rocky promontory once separated from the mainland by a deep moat. In 59 BC, it was decreed a municipality by none other than Julius Caesar. Germanic tribes, Byzantines, Slavs, Franks, and Ottomans, had all ruled the area at one time and left their marks. Venice ruled Zadar from 1409 to 1797.

Zadar Old Town is best explored on foot. Begin at...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Zadar's Architecture Walking Tour

Zadar's Architecture Walking Tour

Zadar's architecture is a tapestry woven with the threads of Roman, Byzantine, and medieval influences, each contributing to a rich and vibrant heritage. Indeed, as you walk the streets of Zadar, you can't help noticing a plethora of ancient buildings reflecting the varied cultural influences imposed on the city over the centuries.

This part of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast has been...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles