Midway along the Riva, you'll come across the
Sea organ. It is difficult to classify the Sea organ as anything but
an art installation with its smooth, wide, white stone steps and ever
changing audience of passersby who come to marvel at the sea's musical
talent. The site is a source of constantly changing sound created by the
organ's 35 pipes, which have underwater whistles. Sea motion drives air
and water through the whistles' openings, producing an endless string of
sounds that vary according to the force and speed of the waves. It is
now a center for gathering, a good destination on a walk through town,
and also a great place to enjoy Zadar's exceptional sunset.
The organ was designed by architect Nikola Basic and built by experts
from Zagreb and Murter Island. It was installed in spring 2005 and won
the European Prize for Urban Space shortly thereafter.
After the world-known Sea Organs, Zadar has become wealthier with one
more urban installation. On Istarska obala, at the very end of the Zadar
peninsula, next to the famous Sea Organs, shines the Greeting to the Sun
made by the same architect Nikola Bašić. Simultaneously with the „most
beautiful sunset in the world" the lighting elements installed in a
circle turn on, and, following a particularly programmed scenario, they
produce a marvelous, exceptionally impressive show of light in the
rhythm of the waves and the sounds of the Sea organs.
The Riva also goes past Zadar’s university which is a dominant point of
Zadar panorama from the sea. Founded in 1396, it is the oldest
university in the region and the oldest in Croatia. The tradition of
more than 600 years speaks for itself and it classifies this city with
the oldest university cities in Europe.
