Nin is a town of glorious past. As it was one of the major cultural centres of the early Croatian state, it abounds in the monuments of specific early Croatian architecture from the 8th to the 11th centuries. A very interesting structure is the small early Croatian church of the Holy Cross from the 9th century, which is considered the smallest cathedral in the world. Another important sight is the treasury of golden and silver objects from Nin.
 

However, Nin is not only a historic town. Together with its surroundings, Nin offers excellent opportunities for vacations and recreation, especially for health tourism. Around Nin are several long sand lagoons, far from the crowd, traffic connections and industrial zones, with outstanding microclimatic conditions. The shallow sea, indented into the mainland, has a temperature 2 or 3 °C higher than the open sea. Salinity and aerosol are also higher. The seawater is very clear and clean (due to shallowness there is almost no maritime traffic). Here are also the largest deposits of medicinal mud (peloid) on the Adriatic. Peloid has been used for medicinal purposes from the Roman times. There is a small out-patient department and rehabilitation programs in the summer months are offered in the open.
 

Numerous restaurants and taverns offer specialities of both domestic and international cuisine. Sports and recreational opportunities include also sports fishing and hunting. The art gallery "Viseslav" organizes exhibitions of well-known Croatian painters and artists throughout the year. Entertainment programs are organized in the summer months.
 

North of Nin (13 km) is the islet of Zecevo, separated from the mainland by a shallow gulch, which may be crossed on foot at low ebb. Monks-hermits built a small church on the islet and dedicated it to Our Lady of Zecevo. In 1500 the Turks put the church and the monastery on fire. A legend has it that they threw the -statue of Our Lady into the sea. However, the statue reached the shores of Nin. This event has been commemorated on the 5th of May every year when the statue of Our Lady is taken to Zecevo.
 

NIN, a coastal town in the southern part of the Nin Bay on the Zdrijac peninsula, 17 km north of Zadar; population 1,692. It developed on a low alluvial peninsula, which was converted into an islet by a canal dug in the 14th century; connected with the mainland by small bridges. Economy is based on farming, growing of vines, olives and fruit, fishing and tourism. Nin lies on the regional road.