Zadar, (Italian Zara). Port and resort in
Croatia, W Yugoslavia; population (1981)
116,000. It was alternately held and lost by
the Venetian republic from the 12th century
until its seizure by Austria 1813. It was the
capital of Dalmatia 1815-1918 and part of
Italy from 1920 until 1947, when it became
part of Yugoslavia. The city was sacked by
the army of the Fourth Crusade 1202, which
led to the Crusade being excommunicated by
Pope Innocent III.