Vacation in Dalmatia

Nin - Church of the Holy Cross

Nin is a small Croatian town on Zadar county. It is located in the coastal region of Croatia and has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The town, built in a lagoon, is surrounded by beaches that are attached to the main shore by bridges built in the 16th century. Though these bridges are still in use today, one is relegated to pedestrians, while the other allows vehicles to cross.

Steeped in history, Nin is one of the oldest towns in the area, and has many points of historical interest. There are archaeological signs that the area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years and has had strong ties with sea trade. Croats came to the area in the seventh century A.D. and between the 8th and 13th centuries, Nin was known as a royal town. During this period, the town was a center for Croatian Bishops of the Church, and was also the seat of the Princes of Dalmatia. In 1409 Venice took over rule of Nin, and following this, the town was destroyed by invading Turks. After World War II, development of the town started, and hence forth has become a destination for tourists interested in history and heritage in Croatia.

For a relatively small town, Nin has a large collection of historically interesting sights. The Church of the Holy Cross, built in the 9th century and known as the smallest cathedral in the world, is located in Nin. It is a very small stone structure that, regardless of it’s stature, sports a cupola and a bell. The baptismal font of Prince Višeslav can be seen in Nin, as well as an impressive monument to Biship Gregory of Nin. A museum has been erected in the town and has many artifacts pertaining to the history of Nin on display.