ZADAR'S BARKAJOLI

The tradition of Zadar's barkajoli has been passed down from generation to generation in a few families for centuries, and has survived despite all the challenges of modern times.

One of the symbols of the city of Zadar are the BARKAJOLI (Lat. barcatores), who since the 14th century have connected the two shores of the city harbour in small rowing boats in all weather – from Điga, the breakwater with a lighthouse, to the Peninsula – shortening the way to work or to the city centre for generations of Zadar residents. Many passengers use the barkajoli's services for their whole working life, and later those of their sons.

Since the 14th century Zadar has nurtured the tradition of the BARKAJOLI (Lat. barcatores), citizens to whom the Zadar commune in the Middle Ages granted the right to carry people or cargo across the city harbour in their boats for a fee. Zadar's barkajoli are thus still one of the city's protective symbols today. For eight centuries they have connected the two ends of the city harbour in small rowing boats in all weather, saving their loyal passengers time. This family tradition has been passed down for centuries in a few families and has survived despite all the challenges of modern times.

Today only a few barkajoli remain, whereas in the past there were many more, especially during the First World War, when even two women rowed the boats while their husbands were at the front. The barkajoli are proud of their trade, which is inherited from generation to generation. To their passengers they are taxi drivers and friends, at their service all year round. It is easier in summer, when tourists come to town and the weather is fine, but in winter their numb hands sometimes row for just a single passenger per trip.

Although the distance between the two ends of the city harbour is only 71 metres and is crossed in a minute and a half, the barkajoli are a must-do tourist attraction, and many visitors to Zadar cross from one side of the harbour to the other this way. Besides tourists, students and everyone who goes to the city centre several times a day also use the barkajoli. With them you save about 15 minutes; otherwise you have to cross the bridge that connects the Peninsula with the rest of Zadar.

Zadar's barkajoli are unique on the Adriatic, and the people of Zadar say that whoever has not crossed by boat has not been to Zadar.

In 2008 a documentary film about Zadar's barkajoli was made by HRT (Croatian Radiotelevision), written and directed by Tanja Kanceljak.