The urban structure of present-day Zadar has its origins in the time of Julius Caesar. A Roman municipium, called Iader, was built here soon after the province of Illyricum was established in 59 BC. As unlikely as it would seem today, its regular structure is perfectly visible in the structure of the current town, despite the passing of years and the continuous inhabitations that could have modified it. The square is actually the Roman forum itself, the largest on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, and still features some columns and bits of original pavement.
