Diving Platform and Swimming Pool in Zadar – from YPA Paratrooper Training to World Fashion Magazines

The pool and diving platform were built during the post-war urban and architectural reconstruction of Zadar, which lasted from 1944 to 1958. This period gave the city its modern-day appearance after it was heavily damaged by Allied bombing at the end of World War II.

The 10-meter diving platform, with levels at 3, 5, and 10 meters, was built by the former Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) with the intention of training paratroopers. However, that idea was quickly abandoned, and the platform was used exclusively for sports.

This reinforced concrete structure has become a symbol of the city and is the only 10-meter diving platform on the Adriatic from which divers jump directly into the sea, rather than into a pool. Zadar divers note that a similar platform once existed on an Austrian lake but has since been torn down, making the Kolovare diving platform a global sports rarity. It was fully renovated in 2023.

The platform has produced a large number of divers who were among the best in both countries for years, and the KSV Zadar diving club is one of the most decorated sports clubs in the city.

The Kolovare swimming area includes a 50-meter open-air pool with saltwater, as well as amenities like showers, changing rooms, a cafe, and courts for beach volleyball, basketball, and bocce.

Global Recognition

This local symbol has also gained international recognition. In recent years, photos of the diving platform have been published in prestigious magazines like Voyage Voyage Magazine and the French edition of Vogue.

On that occasion, Vogue photographer Cameron Hammond said: “Many people ask me if this scene was staged. In fact, it was the first time my wife Rachel and I visited Zadar, and we would spend hours watching the kids on this platform. Rachel went for a swim and stopped to watch more closely, and that’s when I took this photo of her watching the divers.”

A Fashion Collection

The symbolic and cultural significance of the Kolovare pool has been further marked by a designer fashion collection dedicated to it.

Zadar artists Marina Menkadžieva and Vinka Milišić, who are the creative force behind the brand Marvin Makes You Happy, have created an entire collection inspired by the Kolovare diving platform. The collection, titled “Pool Renaissance,” includes T-shirts, bags, and backpacks designed as a tribute to this Zadar landmark.

Made using environmentally friendly methods, the collection is available for purchase at the Limun Studio, a creative space located in the heart of Zadar’s peninsula, just a few steps from People’s Square.

The pool is a place that has always brought together local athletes and swimmers. The diving platform, popularly named after its levels—“the three,” “the five,” and “the ten”—is a combination of cultural heritage, sports life, and a beloved recreational spot for generations of people from Zadar.