Located at the southern entrance to the old town, the Square of the Five Wells is one of Zadar’s most emblematic landmarks. Steeped in history, it was a key element in the city’s defensive system. Surrounded by ramparts, dominated by the Captain’s Tower and overlooked by Queen Jelena Madijevka Park, it marks the transition between the military Zadar of the Renaissance and the revival of the seaside town.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Why visit Place des 5 puits?
Is the Place des 5 puits worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the Square of the 5 Wells(Trg Pet Bunara, in Croatian) is well worth a visit. But more for what it represents than for what it shows. The Square of the Five Wells is not a spectacular monument in itself, and the visit is fairly quick. However, it really comes into its own when placed in the context of Zadar’s fortifications. It’s a pleasant place to pass through, full of symbolism, and provides a better understanding of the city’s defensive history and its evolution towards a more open urban space.
This is one of the most interesting places in Zadar!
Discover the Square of the Five Wells and all the treasures of Zadar on a guided tour!
Our favorite
Our favorite feature is the contrast between the original function of the site and its current ambience. It’s hard to imagine, walking around here today, that this quiet, light-filled space was once a strategic point essential to the city’s survival.
History in brief
Laid out in 1574, in the midst of the Ottoman threat, the Place des Cinq Puits was built over an ancient medieval moat that was filled in for the occasion. It houses a large underground cistern, accessible via five wells, designed to ensure the city’s water supply in the event of a siege. The complex was part of a larger defensive system comprising ramparts, bastions and Venetian towers.
Read on to find out more about the history of this square.
Access: 5 Well Square, Zadar
Where is Place des 5 puits?
- In the historic center of Zadar.
- It is overlooked by Queen Madijevka Park, and is close to the Rector’s Palace and Vladimir Nazor Park.
- 15-minute walk fromOrgue des Mers and 10-minute walk from Cathédrale St Anastasie
Discover the Square of the Five Wells and all the treasures of Zadar on a guided tour!
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Croatia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
See our tips (coming soon)
Access by car and parking
- Located in the heart of the city, it’s easiest to get here on foot.
- If you’re coming by car, be aware that parking can be difficult in Zadar’s historic center. We recommend the nearest parking lot, ideally located near the picturesque Port of Foša, just a few meters from the square.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Schedules and prices
Price: free
Opening hours: open 24 hours a day
Best time to visit
The Place des 5 puits is a pleasant place to visit in any season. To enjoy a quieter atmosphere, choose weekdays and early mornings to avoid the heat, as there is no shade on the square.
Length of visit and main difficulties
A visit to the Place des 5 puits takes around 15 minutes. You can spend more time there, depending on your pace and your desire to linger and admire the architecture.
The floor of the square is smooth, but there are stairs to get there, with no alternative.
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Catering
Around the square you’ll find numerous restaurants, bars and cafés, some of which feature in our selection of the best restaurants in Zadar. A small “guinguette” in Queen Madijevka Park offers refreshments, but picnic areas on the grass are limited.
The origins of Place des 5 Puits
Our research into the Square of the 5 Wells(Trg Pet Bunara, in Croatian) has taken us all the way back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the present-day square formed a moat to protect Zadar (then called Iadera) from enemy attack.
From the 15th century onwards, the region was invaded by the Ottoman Turks, and it was against this backdrop, from the 16th century onwards, that the square underwent numerous changes:
The Bastion Grimani, part of which is still visible, was built as part of the surrounding wall lining the square and the park above. It was part of a line of fortifications designed to protect Zadar from enemy attacks from the Adriatic Sea.
Discover the Square of the Five Wells and all the treasures of Zadar on a guided tour!
The Captain’s Tower was also built. Standing 26m high, it is the town’s command post. You may notice its angular shape, typical of Renaissance military architecture. Also, take a look at its thick, low walls, angled to better absorb cannon fire.
With all these buildings, the Place des 5 puits became the town’s nerve center for defense.
Finally, we discovered that the medieval moat was filled in in 1574 and replaced by a water cistern. This made it possible to store thousands of liters of water, made potable thanks to an ingenious decantation filtering system. This enabled Zadar to maintain its autonomy and water supply in the event of a siege. Clever! As you can see, the top of the tank was adorned with 5 wells – which gave the square its name – enabling water to be drawn easily from several locations.
Perhaps you’re wondering how and from what source the fresh water was channelled into the cistern? Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see for yourself, but we have learned that the remains of an aqueduct have been found. This brought water from Lake Vrana, some 40 km from Zadar.
The evolution of Place des 5 Puits
Today, the Square of the 5 Wells remains an important landmark and a must-see in Zadar. The cistern is now disused, having been replaced by modern water supply networks (XIXᵉ-XXᵉ century) and preserved as a heritage feature. Just like the 5 wells, now purely decorative and symbolic.
The square – including the bastion, fortifications and tower –has been a UNESCO World Heritage Sitesince 2017. It’s a unique blend of Renaissance hydraulic engineering, Venetian military architecture and the city’s defensive organization. You’ll come across many visitors admiring it, skaters taking advantage of its smooth floor and staircases, and locals enjoying the Croatian sunshine.
The construction of Queen Madijevka Park overlooking the square marked a major symbolic turning point in the history of this part of the city. Indeed, the Square of the 5 Wells ceased to be a strict military space and was transformed into a place for the inhabitants to stroll and relax. We recommend a visit to this garden, considered Zadar’s green lung. Created almost 200 years ago, it is one of the very first public parks in Croatia. It offers remarkable views over the port of Foša, the Terraferma Gate (ancient entrance to Zadar’s old town) and the Adriatic.
Don’t miss the Captain’s Tower, which houses exhibitions and offers a fine view from its 26m height.
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