SURROUNDINGS AND ATTRACTIONS

Biograd na Moru, with a population of 6,000, is located in northern Dalmatia, on a peninsula surrounded by modern ports. The city is situated 30 km from Biograd, 36 km from Zadar to the north, and the town of Vodice can be found to the south. Facing the sea, opposite is the island of Pasman. The name of the city literally means “white city by the sea.”

The city has a long history of tourism: the first tourists came from Czechoslovakia in the 1920s, while the first hotel was built in 1935. The history of Biograd is even more significant: it was the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Croatia. The city was founded by Croatian kings in the 10th century. In 1102, Kálmán Könyves was crowned King of Croatia, with which Croatia joined the Kingdom of Hungary, and the personal union lasted until 1918.

It belonged to the Venetian Republic from 1409 until the break-up of Venice in 1797. As a result of the Venetian-Turkish wars, the city had to endure severe destruction in 1521 as well as in 1646: Biograd was significantly damaged and burned. During the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1993), when attacks by Serbian troops were happening, significant damage was also done to the city. However, it is now once again waiting in full bloom for tourists looking to vacation. Unfortunately, as a result of many wars, much of the historical old town of Biograd was destroyed. Its existing old town is still wonderful, but it is not comparable to, for example, Dubrovnik or Trogir.