Queen Jelena Madije Park

Queen Jelena Madije Park is a small hillside park just outside the southern walls of Zadar's old town, and it is described as the first public park in Croatia. It was laid out in 1829 on the initiative of Baron Franz Ludwig von Welden, an Austrian general and governor who was also an enthusiastic botanist with an interest in the plants of Dalmatia. He ordered the transformation of a stretch of old defensive earthworks into a pleasant green space where citizens could stroll, and the park became a place of fashionable promenades and social gatherings in the 19th century. The park is named after Queen Jelena Madijevka, a medieval Croatian queen of the 10th and 11th centuries who was closely tied to the city and its church of St. Mary.

The layout follows the shape of the former defensive ditch and bastion below the city walls, and the way the park hugs the old fortifications gives it a character of its own. Stone steps, terraces and retaining walls reflect the earlier military use, while the trees, shrubs and flowerbeds soften the old stones. Shaded paths wind through the greenery, with benches placed so that visitors can sit and look toward the old town and the sea. The park is a short, quiet walk, and its shade is welcome on hot summer days. Restoration work has aimed to preserve the historic features and to enrich the planting, so the plantings include Mediterranean species typical of the Dalmatian coast.

The park lies beside Five Wells Square, known in Croatian as Trg Pet Bunara, a public square with a large Renaissance cistern fitted with five wellheads, built to ensure the city's water supply during sieges. This square is a lively place, with cafés, music and events, and the park is the natural quiet counterpart to it. In the evenings, the area becomes more animated, with nightlife and concerts nearby, and the contrast between the calm of the park and the movement of the square is part of the charm.

The park is a good starting point for exploring Zadar. A short walk leads to the compact fortified old town, People's Square, the church of St. Chrysogonus and the Roman forum, and farther along the waterfront stand the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, two modern installations that have made the city famous. Island-hopping boat trips leave from nearby, so the park fits easily into a day of sightseeing.

The park suits walkers, families, couples and anyone looking for a break in the shade. It is free and open all day, and spring and autumn are especially pleasant.