The Sphinx of Zadar

The sculpture was made in the first half of the 20th century in the park of Villa Attilia in Brodarica neighborhood. The exact year has not been determined to this day, but it is assumed that it was built in 1918. Villa Atillia belonged to the Smirich family, so the construction of the sculpture is attributed to its owner, the Zadar conservator, Giovanni Smirich. The sculpture was built with a combined technique of using stone and concrete, which is clearly visible on its left side, where it was damaged. Namely, a plan and written data on the making of this sculpture have not been preserved.

The sculpture is oriented in the northwest-southeast direction. Its head, which is about 5 meters long and 3 meters high, is oriented to the southeast. Moreover, a shell-shaped pool is placed between the hands of the sculpture, and the sphinx itself was holding a dagger, i.e. a sword that crossed the pool. Today, the sword no longer exists, nor does the relief on the chest that was deliberately stolen.