The small town of Nin is located in the middle of a shallow lagoon, about 14 km from the regional center, Zadar. Nin is the first and oldest royal town in Croatia. Its old town is only 500 meters wide. It has exceptional architecture. The Church of the Holy Cross is particularly well preserved, and is a unique attraction in the entire Mediterranean. In fact, the church is known for the small size of its structure, and is nicknamed the “smallest church in the world”. The building is a work of art and a witness to history.
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Nin’s history
Nin is the oldest Croatian city. Its history spans three thousand years. It was the residence of Croatian kings and a very important port for centuries. Nin was attacked twice by the Ottomans in 1571 and 1646. The city was under Venetian control and the authorities of the time ordered the burning of the city to prevent the invaders from using it as a stronghold. This led to the population abandoning the city completely.
Today, Nin has about 1,700 residents. The partially preserved medieval center is a major tourist attraction. The beautiful sandy beaches, the mineral springs and the modern tourist complex called “Zaton Holiday Village” have turned Nin into a seaside destination
What to see in Nin
Visitors can enter the small town by crossing one of the two old bridges or through one of the main historical gates leading directly to the city walls. The city is full of cultural and historical monuments and archaeological sites. Among these are several religious buildings such as the parish church of Saint-Anselme, the Gothic chapel of Saint-Marcella, the church of Saint-Ambroise, the Romanesque church of Saint-Nicolas or the church of Sainte-Croix, previously mentioned for its small size (7.80 m long and 7.60 m wide).
Other interesting religious sights are the bronze statue of the famous Croatian bishop Gregorius and the baptismal font of Višeslav. There is also a Roman temple and the ancient Croatian ships called “Condura Croatica”.
Spa, mud and salt baths
Nin has long been a renowned spa, from Roman times to the present day. Sick people came from far and wide to take advantage of the medicinal mud in the lagoon. The shallow sea, heated by the sun, is perfectly suited to the treatment of various illnesses and rheumatism. Deformities, rheumatism, female sterility and various skin diseases have all been treated here.
The treatments, supervised by specialist health teams from Zadar, are carried out in a very pleasant natural environment and include many treatments such as bathing in warm seawater and puddling in mud pools. It may not sound glamorous when you put it like that, but patients come from far and wide to take advantage of these treatments and appreciate the combination of treatment and a seaside atmosphere in the heart of nature.
Nin lagoon, windswept and bathed in heat, was also naturally renowned for its salt production. Salt has been harvested and cultivated on the shores of Nin since prehistoric times. Nin salt has a very high iodine content and benefits from a local algae that adds a health benefit to the salt. It is considered one of the most sought-after salts in Europe.
Beaches in Nin
Nin has several beaches on the opposite side of town, at the end of the lagoon. To get there, you need to travel less than a kilometer, whichever beach you choose. The beaches stretch for more than 8 kilometers and are : Kraljičina plaža, Ninska Laguna Beach and Ždrijac. All 3 are similar, with a double view of the sea and lagoon (perfect for children and families).
The first, Queen’s Beach, is the best known and requires you to cross a small passageway with your feet in the water. Legend has it that King Tomislav’s queen, on the sidelines of an official visit by her royal husband, set her sights on this dreamy beach. The beaches of Nin are cited as some of the most beautiful in the world (by the American Travel Channel, among others).
There are other beaches further afield (less than 2 kilometers away), notably at the Zaton complex, which boasts a Blue Flag beach.
When it comes to entertainment, as well as strolling along the beaches, Nin also offers nightclubbing. In summer, ‘Saturnus’ at the Zaton holiday village (the town’s most modern and trendiest establishment) is a sell-out.
Accommodations in Nin
The ‘Zaton Holiday Village’ seaside resort is a must-see in the local landscape. It is located just 1 kilometer south of the historic town and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Adriatic and the offshore islands. In the shade of pine trees, the complex is next to a long sandy beach, well protected from the winds and waves. Nin and the surrounding seaside resorts also offer furnished flats and small, charming campsites.