Organizers

ICUA Zadar, along with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, Museum of Ancient Glass and Archaeological museum in Zadar, serve as hosting institutions.

ICUA ZADAR

Address: Ul. Božidara Petranovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

Web: www.icua.hr

The Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar was created in September of 2007 in the frame of the Croatian Conservation Institute. In January of 2009 it achieved legal independence and saw the signing of an international agreement between UNESCO and the Republic of Croatia governing its activities. Since then, as the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (ICUA Zadar) - a UNESCO category 2 centre under the administration of the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media - it has developed its programme activities.

The decision to establish ICUA grew out of Croatia’s status as one of the first countries to ratify the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Archaeological Heritage, and on the imperative of providing greater protection for the many underwater archaeological sites the Adriatic Sea is home to. ICUA’s mission is centred on activities and education in the fields of the archaeological investigation, conservation, restoration, and promotion of underwater cultural heritage, in particular at the international level.

Through its activities ICUA strongly advocates for the ratification and implementation of UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Archaeological Heritage. By developing and disseminating pioneering underwater archaeology investigative, conservation, restoration, and training methods, and knowledge exchange, ICUA Zadar has taken its place as a European and global hub of these activities.

ICUA manages the complex of the former St. Nicholas church and monastery, the renovation of which was co-funded through the European Union’s European Fund for Regional Development. The complex includes an underwater archaeology education and presentation centre with a diversity of exhibits and interactive content, and an exhibition pavilion that hosts activities related to experimental archaeology.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ZADAR

Address: Mihovila Pavlinovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

Web: www.unizd.hr

The impressive building of the University of Zadar on the seafront was built at the beginning of the 20th century in Neoclassicist style for the needs of the former Lyceum of St Demetrius. The first University in Zadar was founded way back in 1396, and it was re-established in 2002.

The Chapel of St Demetrius was redecorated and renovated, and represents one of the rare examples of Neoclassicism in Dalmatia. Its ground plan is a square, upon which a dome on a drum rises, and the entire complex of buildings was built in the L shape, enclosing the bastion of the Zadar Citadel from the southern and western side. The building of the University of Zadar is one of the most beautiful buildings in Croatia, and before becoming a part of the renewed University, it was home to the Zadar Faculty of Philosophy.

In 2002, 46 years after the beginning of its work in 1956, the Faculty of Philosophy in Zadar comprised 16 divisions and 17 different study groups, 6 postgraduate studies, part-time and complementary study programmes with 3400 students, 240 employees, out of which 180 teaching staff and associates (including 60 external associates and foreign lecturers).

Today, the University of Zadar is the largest integrated University in the Republic of Croatia, which includes 25 university departments. The University of Zadar cooperates with numerous Croatian and foreign institutions and academic associations, through membership in international organisations and communities, and through cooperative contracts with other universities.

Department of Archaeology

Today's Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar is one of its oldest departments. The study of archaeology was initiated in 1956. The founding of the study, then of the Department was driven by a long tradition of archaeological research, the richness and diversity of archaeological sites in the wider area of Zadar and northern Dalmatia, and the need for their comprehensive exploration and evaluation. In addition to teaching, as one of the leading scientific institutions in the field of archaeology in the Republic of Croatia, the Department has a developed research activity that intensively and continuously conducts through the planning, organization and conduct of scientific research in all branches of archaeology.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN ZADAR

Address: Trg opatice Čike 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

Web: www.amzd.hr

On the glass windows of the Archaeological Museum in Zadar, one can see the reflection of the remains of the Roman Forum and the early Medieval church of St Donat, with which the Museum is unbreakably connected. Since 1880 the works of preservation and restauration had been done in St Donat’s with the intention to place the Archaeological Museum in it.

The Museum was founded in 1832 making it the second oldest museum in Croatia, and one of the oldest in this part of Europe. Today it keeps more than 100,000 archaeological artefacts from all the cultural and historical periods from the Palaeolithic to the end of 11th century. For almost 60 years the museum has been producing hand-made souvenirs in a preparatory workshop, such as amphoras, bowls, fibulas (broches), jewellery and other valuable museum material.

(Source: Zadar Tourist Board)

MUSEUM OF ANCIENT GLASS IN ZADAR

Address: Poljana Zemaljskog odbora 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

Web: www.mas-zadar.hr

The Museum of Ancient Glass was founded on June 9th, 2006 by a decree of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and it was ceremoniously opened on May 5th, 2009.Museum of Ancient Glass Zadar (mas-zadar.hr)

The museum is located in the renewed historicistic palace of the Cosmacendi family, dating to the second half of the 19th century, whose original architecture was enriched by an annex on the northern side because of the demands related to the museum concept of the permanent display as well as performing everyday museum activities. It is an archaeological museum, but it is specialized for ancient glass. Its display presents a unique collection of over 5000 various glass objects dating to antiquity, i.e. period from the 1st century BC to 5th century AD.

Over 1500 complete glass objects are presented in the permanent display that is divided into eight thematic wholes. Except for the permanent display, various glass workshops are organized throughout the year. In the glassblowing demo workshop, replicas of ancient glass are made by using the free blowing technique. Another workshop in the museum deals with making glass jewelry with a torch and making souvenirs in the fusing technique. There is also a demo workshop for making objects of boroslicate glass with a torch. Except for a modern and well-suppled souvenir shop where you can buy a number of publications and various souvenirs made in the museum workshops, the Museum also has two multifunctional halls for occasional exhibitions, lectures, book presentations and projections of documentary films about glassmaking.