The historical story of Nin is the story of prosperity based on salt as well as its long maritime tradition, together with recognisable boats called Condura Croatica.
These boats were found at the entrance to the port of Nin in 1966, and taken out of the sea in 1974 when the desalination, conservation and restoration began in Zadar. They sailed at the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, and is supposed that it was these very boats mentioned by the Emperor Constantin Porfirogenet in the 10th century when he spoke about the old Croatian navy.
This is the reason why the boats were called Condura Croatica.
Interestingly, these are the smallest but the most deadly war ships in the world’s history, of which the Croats-as we find out from the description of the Byzantine Emperor Porfirogenet –possessed around eighty. They were 7-8 m long, narrow and built in the classical manner, with the ribs and panelling of the boat’s starboard connected with wooden and iron nails. In the situation where there were favourable winds, a square sail would be used. They were also used as fast rowing boats.
These boats were made and probably sailed during the reign of the Croatian national Kings, Krešimir IV and Zvonimir. Historical records say that during the reign of King Krešimir IV. Croatia possessed up to 20,000 rowers on Conduras. Some sources also say that King Tomislav, in Nin alone had 15,000 rowers ready on Conduras.