Situated in the lagoon on the eastern shore with sandy beaches and linked with the town stone walls, occurring to have been noticed from 10,000 years ago, Nin is ancient and tiny.
Why should you visit Nin
Nin is a small town of Dalmatia, located on an island in the middle of the sandy lagoon, bounded by two bridges. It is the oldest Croatian Royal Town.If you ever drive from Zadar to Zaton, it is an excellent opportunity to take the time to visit this town that hides a rich cultural heritage. This city had turbulent past, intertwined with various events I saw for the first time in 6thgrade of elementary school, until a recent business visit to Zadar. Since then, the only memory of Nin was the statue and “thumb for the happiness of Gregory of Nin” so, at the suggestion of the colleague to visit Nin along the way, I acceptedit with no grumbling.
Much more remained in my memory since the last visit, so of course, I decided to share it the same through this article.
Nin location
Driving along the Middle Dalmatia coast from viaMaslenica Bridge direction there you’ll see the indication for Nin.Nin’s historical centre is located on an islet only 500 meters in diameter and geographical as part of the peninsula of Privlaka. Nin is easy to reach. Please take a look furthermore in our getting to possibilities where you will find a detailed description.
Nin in history
Looking on to the some of the surveys from the archaeological experts the place was first time settled in distant prehistoric times, before 10,000 years ago. In comparison, according to the other, the first human in these parts existed before 5000 years. This place officially recorded the first inhabitants 3,000 years ago. It is no coincidence that Nin today holds the title of “The oldest city on the Eastern coast of the Adriatic”.Today Nin is consideredone of the oldest towns on the Eastern Adriatic, colonised by Mediterranean people. Nin history is a vital centre of Liburnias and later found the many Hellenistic and Greece legacy.
The first name of Nin is written “Hemionoi”, noticed at the Liburnian time. Later, the Greek writers see the Nin Ainona, and the Romanian “Aeonona”. In the 1st Century, B.CB.C.he mentioned the name of the town wasEnona. Throughout the Roman Empire impact, the city retained its autonomy.After Romanian rule, in the 7th century, Nin became a cultural and political centre. In contrast, after getting Diocese centre’s status in 9th-century, Nin is assumed to bethe first Croatian royal town from 7th – 13th century.
Nin was one of the main fortresses from which the Croatian rulers of Croatia lived in the Middle Ages, and it was until the fall under the Hungarian crown. During Hungary throne, Nin continues to be an independent commune. While Croatian – Hungarian king Ladislav sold of Dalmatia in 1409, Nin is not committed to the Venetians, and it continued to keep their autonomy.
The Venetian Republic occupied the town and by the struggle against the Turks ran away two times from the area. The second time the Venetians also destroyed the city. Regards, in 1646, Nin, the first time in history, loses its historical importance. Nin remains diocese until the 19th century, which represents a period of a thousand years. After World War II the city has begun its modern development. Today is the centre of cultural heritage, which is visited by travellers and tourists worldwide.
Things to do in Nin
If you ever drive from Zadar to Zaton, the history and heritage funs will have a great pleasure if you stop by and find some time for a visit to this town rich with the cultural monuments, churches and nature.
After leaving the car in the parking lot and into the city and after a few minutes you’ll arrive at the “Višelsav Square” (Orig. Trga Kneza Višeslava). It’s the centre of Nin.
Take a look on to the citywalls
After passing the saltern at the town entrance, we’re going to see the old bridges of stone. Almost a millennium these walls guarded the city against the enemies. One could see exciting details there. Through the turbulent history of the appearance of the town, including the walls gradually changed.
The city walls are most affected by the Candian wars, during the destruction of the city. Today we can see the north and the southeast side of the town. The same is from Venetian style. The former strategic importance of the entrance to the city was paramount in history. The ramparts we will notice remains of the upper and lower town gates. Also, we see the bridges date back to the 16th century. The tour defensive part of the city will introduce you to its historical role, emphasising history stories.
Look at the bell tower.
Having its south side is almost impossible to observe the church with 28 meters high Romanesque bell tower located in the centre. The bell toweris an independent structure dating back to the 13th century but resto in the 17th century. With having four floors that each one is decorated with capitals and columns and the watch designated by Roman numerals were added later time, the bell tower is wit no doubt one of the numerous symbols of Nin you should capture.
Visit the church of St. Anselmo
The church located next to the bell tower dates back to the 6th century, the early Christian time. In the 18th century, the church experienced the last renewal while in 1795 it takes its present shape with the leans lateral chapel of “St. Marcella” (Orig. “Gospa od Zečeva”).
Overlooking the church interior, we mention a Renaissance work of Juraj Divanić. You should also see “Gospa od Zečeva”, a Virgin and Child statue, made of wood and polychrome, the unknownauthor’s work. However, the statute isassumed to be made in one of the middle European wooden workshops during the transition from the 14th to the 15th century, characterised by making an iconographic sculpture of “Beautiful Madonna” type (Madonna holding a child). On the north gate of the church are carved the two relief character – St. Ambrose and St. Anselmo – protectors of the town of Nin.
Look at the statue of Gregory of Nin and learnabout it
After a tour into the church, we will walk up to Gregory of Nin’s statue, a figure of “Grgur from Nin” called Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. Nin gets his statue at 10 September of 1969, on the 900th anniversary of issuing charters “Petar Krešimir IV”. Then it was also for the first time used the term “Mare Nostrum”.
Gregory of Nin lived in Nin at the period of 900 – 929 year. He was the medieval Croatian bishop. As a bishop who was then given a leading role in the church’s authority, he pleads with King Tomislav. Since they previously served services in Latin, they wanted to introduce the Croatian language. As the Dalmatian bishops considered the Croatian language is not appropriate for the liturgy, Gregory of Nin complains to the Pope. Ultimately, according to the “second Split Church Council” decisions, Gregory was transferred to Skradin diocese. From that time, Nin loses his diocese.
Meštrović statue is one of the three figures symbolising the importance of showing an individual’s commitment to defend his points of view, what had Gregory of Nin. Before it constructed, in front of the church of St. Anselm, the statue was stationed at the Peristyle at the palace. During World War II, the statue was outside of Split. Meštorović donated a sculpture of Gregory of Nin to Varaždin and Split. The figure is today a tourist attraction that will also recall visitor by touching Gregory of thumb. There is considered it brings the fulfilment of desire. Try to test it. In addition to the statue of Grgur from Nin, it’s possible to notice also another statue of the “Prince of Branimir”, located on “Branimir coast” near “Donji Nin bridge“. It’s the work of Croatian sculptor Josip Poljana.
Take a look at the cityloggia
The lodge is connected to the mainland by bridges surrounded by stone walls.
Visit the Church of the Holy Cross from the 9thcentury
The church ofround type from the 9th century is also known as “The Smallest Cathedral in the world”. The built shape refers to a Greek cross. The observer’s eye will see “the mistakes” in building, but they are not the real mistakes caused by ignorance, but the artist’s deliberate work for the sun observing. The church served at that time also for solar observing and like the time measurement object. A lintel of the church entrance could be noticed “Godeslava”, which has been considered the oldest scripture of Croatian time. The such of the lintel on the church is very easy to spot. This detail is the bottom of the inscription mayor “Godečaja”, which is considered one of the oldest Croatian scripts. The church also contains valuable ornaments.
On first sight, the visitor might be thinking that the church walls consist of a mistake made in the building. It s the result of a careful grammatical calculation since the church was used in medieval times to measure sundial time. The dome is dominant, and the top of the apse This considerably narrowed. Stop here in front of this monument of culture then and save it some photos to your phone.
See the churchof Saint Nicholas
The church located at the cityentrance is often associated with its photogenic brochures of Nin. At first glance, according to the number apse gives the impression that it is a trefoil. However, when we approach the entrance, we see that it is a quatrefoil. The entrance portal is rectangular with Romanesque features, built-in tiny layered stone. Take some photo of it, enjoy in history. Don’t miss to stop by it.
Daily tours at Nin sourroundings
Situated in the very middle of Dalmatia, Nin is suitable to take some of the numerous tours. Here below, we mentioned a few of the suggestions.
See the saltern and Nin oldships
If you find some extra time it should be interesting to observe the museum of salt. It is located near the city. The visitor will explore more about the traditional techniques of salt production. Not far from the city, there was the ancient port of Zaton. Because of the access to the sea, it has kept a significant strategic position during the past. Drive to Zaton and see what types of vessels are used once from the Liburnians. See the ship “Serilia Liburnica” built without metal compounds, and all connections are from wood. There is another type of boat made of wood that is also found at the Nin port entrance, and it’s assumed that the same ships sailed in the 12th century.
Enjoy some freshairof the lagoon
Nin lies on a small island 500 m, connected to the mainland by two bridges, built on former estuary sandbank Miljačić Jaruge and surrounded by a sandbank and Ždrijac village to the north, a salt work on the east side. On the south and west side is the newer part of the town. You can easily capture the lagoon walls, water channel, or you can sit by, near the lagoon and look to the sea in such surroundings. You can easily enjoy the lagoon and leave yourself to the one historical Dalmatian charm in such an environment.
Visit Zadar
Being the fifth largest city in Croatia and Dalmatia’s second-largest city, with the population of almost 80,000 inhabitants, Zadar as one of European oldest continuously populated towns Zadar of middle Dalmatia has much to offer in terms of both to history and nature fans and is 17 kilometres far away from Nin only.
With the ancient Roman Forum, Donat’s Church, Kalelarga and the Sea Organs playing while “Saluting the Sun“ in the sunset, Zadar is must-be to visit if you stay in Nin.
Be active in Nin
You can visit Nin part in some outdoor tours with a starting point in Zadar or make someone yourself from Nin. No matter you choose, you’ll enjoy the Middle Dalmatia.
- Bike. There are numerous ways to enjoy Nin and its surroundings while bike and one of the ways we suggest are to cycle “Road To The Past Bike“. The Guided Bike Tour is48 km long with an elevation gain of 388 m while its difficulty is consideredmoderate in duration between 5 or 6 hours. The tour starting in Zadar avoids the main highway leading along the shore and is imbued with magnificentcoves, pine forests, and passing over the small Dalmatian villages. Though the official endpoint of this guided bike tour is the royal town of Nin, a fairytale-like place situated on a small island that dating back to the 9th century BC B.C.u could also take an opposite tour by yourself if you want to start from Nin.
- However, we recommend taking a guided tour since you’ll get more information in it and it’s an excellent way to visit Nin aside the biking tour.
- Swimming & bathing. Sure, there are beautiful beaches of middle Dalmatia, and the most famous is Nin’s, Queen Beach.
Experience a royal retreat on Queen’s Beach in Nin
Nin is a city of history, but it’s also the city of the natural environment. Near the location of Nin, there are few beaches, in the area of 8 km. The most specific is the most famous sandy beach, called “Kraljičina Plaža” – Queen’s Beach. According to the legend the Queen used to come here on this sandy beach and enjoy a quiet lagoon whenever king Tomislav visited the place. One afternoon, King joined her and said: “This is heaven on Earth, and this is your beach.” Also in the western part of the Nin Bay, we will notice “Nin slope” for which they say cures rheumatism. Well, does the visit for real fits royal feeling you’ll need to explore by yourself. Every comment is welcome, and the Nin is waiting for you in his thousand years old lagoon.
Explore beaches further away in the Nin – Zadar region
Duboka Draga, Vrsi
This completely wild and natural beach far away from the villages is, without doubt, a little slice of paradise. Besides, you won’t find that much room for many people to laze, aboutit’ll enchant you with abreathtaking view extending of the Velebit Mountain while enjoying swimming in the sea too enticing. Bear in mind there are no facilities at the beach, but this is right what the Goat likes.
Bošana Beach, Pag
Located next to the Pag, a long and narrow island north of Zadar connected to the mainland by the “Paški Most” Bridge, “Bošana Beach”is without reason apart of those beautiful beaches. It is with fantastic shore made up in pebbly shores, rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The Bošana coast is to be the far northern corner of Zadar County is several kilometres long and characterised by numerous bays and hidden coves and a pine tree suitable to relax.
Hike. Velebit Mountain is the King of that part of Dalmatia. If you decided to stay in Nin, but you are still addicted in hike don’t waste your time ob the coast too much since there is just an hour of drive far away from you located National Park Paklenica. The reason You shouldn’t miss Pakelnica if you are climber or hiker you’ll uncover after visiting it yourself.
Getting to Nin
Almost all transport connections to Nin, except by car, go through Zadar.
- By Plane: The nearest airport is Zadar Airport, which is well connected to major Croatian and European airports. Flying to Zadar can be budget-friendly as some low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, operate there, especially during the summer months. For faster and easier travel, you can land at Zadar Airport Zemunik. This small but modern airport connects to other Croatian cities and many important European destinations, particularly in the high season. Airport buses run approximately every half hour after scheduled flight arrivals, taking passengers to Zadar city centre. The first stop is the Zadar bus terminal, and the bus then continues to the city centre. For more information about the airport bus, check the official sources.
- By Train: The closest train stations are in Zaton or Zadar. Zadar is connected via railway to Zagreb and many European countries through Knin. Although traveling by train takes longer, it offers a memorable experience with beautiful natural views. The Zadar railway station is located within the Zadar bus station, making it easy to continue your journey to Nin by bus or taxi. However, trains in this part of Croatia operate slowly, so traveling to Zadar or Zaton by train is only recommended if you prefer train travel. Connections exist from Zagreb or Split, but be prepared for longer travel times than scheduled. The railway station is next to the central bus station.
- By Bus: Nin has its own bus station. Due to its close proximity to Zadar—which has connections to major Western European cities such as Ljubljana, Trieste, Vienna, Zurich, Munich, and Rotterdam—there are frequent bus services to and from Nin, almost every hour. You can easily reach Zadar by bus from many European cities, including direct lines from Vienna and Munich. If there’s no direct line from your city, you can travel via Zagreb or Split and transfer buses there. The central bus station in Zadar is located at 1 Ante Starčević Street.
- By Car: Excellent transport infrastructure provides direct links from all major Croatian cities and, via Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, and Dubrovnik, to cities across Europe. Driving to Nin from Western Europe mainly involves driving on the highway for a quick and safe journey. Use online route planners to assist with your travel plans.
- By Ferry: Zadar’s port and tourist port connect it to larger cities along the Adriatic coast with ships, hydrofoils, catamarans, and ferries. Notable ferry routes include Zadar-Rijeka, Zadar-Dubrovnik, and the international connection Zadar-Ancona. After arriving in Zadar by ferry, take a local bus, taxi, or car to reach Nin, Croatia’s oldest royal town.
- Parking in Nin: Parking is limited in the Old Town, which is mostly a pedestrian zone. It is best to leave your car in parking spaces along the city walls. Be aware that parking in unauthorized places may result in your car being towed.
Useful Contact Information
- European emergency number: 112
- Hospital (Zadar): Emergency number 194. The ambulance station is about 1.5 km from the city centre.
- Pharmacy / 24-hour pharmacy: There is a pharmacy in Nin and two 24-hour pharmacies in Zadar, named Donat and Zadar. Both are located in the city centre near the People’s Square.