[Zadar, CROATIA]Day 7: Greek forum, pillar of shame, Museum of Ancient Glass, Sea Organ & Greeting to the Sun, Cafe Bruschetta

The funny thing about Croatia is that all the attractions (including churches) have the weirdest opening hours. They are usually open for a short window of time (i.e 12-1300 and 17-1900) and because it is a small city that every place can be done by foot, we often have to detour and go back to places as when they are open.

Zadar is very famous for its glasswork, and we decided to stop by the Museum of Ancient Glass. Museum of Ancient Glass, is housed in Cosmacendi Palace, overlooking Jazine habour. The permanent exhibition displays goblets, jars, vassels that are used to store perfume, essentials oils in the Middle Ages. The discovery of blowpipe for glass-making really increased production and it is amazing how glasses made in the 1st or 2nd century in Zadar has such variety in shape. Many of them comes with Art Nouveau like features, or motifs of fruits and fish. We also got a VIP view of the actual glass making process!

The St Donatus Church is built on the ruin of an ancient Greek forum, and inside it you can still see inscriptions and altars It is constructed on early Byzantine architectural traditions with a round rotunda, and although no longer used as a church anymore, lots of music concerts are held here due to its marvelous acoustics.

Pillar of Shame and Greek Forum

So apparently for any evildoers, they are chained under the pillar of shame for public display, to instill guilt and shame to never do any bad doings again. This actually reminds me of the exhibition we saw at the Fortress in Salzburg, where people have to wear these masks of shame with crazy animal faces or monster faces.

In 1st BC when the Roman started to settle here, the colony was probably found by Julius Caesar himself at the end of the civil war with Pompeius. The city is constructed according to principles of Roman urban planning. It consists of 5 longitudinal (Decumanus) and 8 transversal (cardo streets), which interesects at 90 degrees. The intersection of 2 main streets, so here you will find the city square (forum) and a piazza. The Zadar city has essentially kept this layout and hence the Greek Forum is right at the intersection of the two main streets: Kalelarga and Simuna K. Benje.

Sea Organ

The sea organ is designed with 35 pipes ending with whistles with opening on quayside floor. Depending on the size and velocity of the wave, the movement of the sea pushes air through the whistles to form a continuous chord. It plays 7 accords of 5 tones.

Next to the Sea Organ is Greeting to the Sun by Nikola Basic, a solar powered floor panel that illuminates at night. The biggest panel represents the sun, and the smaller circles represent the solar systems and is inscribed with names of Zadar's saints.

This is the perfect place to see the beautiful sunset of Zadar, and listening to music composed by nature. The melody has such a calming effect that I could take a nap on the sea organ stairs!

As we walk down the Riva promenade, we notice Cafe Bruchetta, cafe which is famous for local Croatian Cuisine.

[-------Our Order----]

- Mixed Salad

- Filet Mignon with mushroom

- Braised leg of lamb with rosemary and potatoes

- Meat Lagsagna

We didn't order any dessert since the menu isn't really attractive, but the braised leg of lamb is very tender and sweet, and the roasted potatoes are one of the best that I've had so far! The potatoes is crisy on the outside, and still moist on the inside, without it being overly oily.

The view of the seaside, is wonderful, and it is a good place for people watching as many would just sit by the small park right in front of us.