You may have heard of whale song, but have you heard of wave song? If not, perhaps it’s time to take a trip to the coastline of Zadar, Croatia, where a talented architect has crafted the world’s first ‘Sea Organ’.
The Morske Orgulje (Sea Organ) was built into a set of white stone steps on the Zadar Quay. The instrument is 230 ft long, with 35 musically tuned pipes that lead to whistle openings on the sidewalk. The surging tide pushes air through the pipes, creating spontaneous harmonies depending on the size and the force of the waves.
Designed by famed architect Nikola Basic in 2005, the organ was designed to reconnect the people of Zadar to the Adriatic Sea, and create harmony between nature and architecture. After the devastation of World War II, the hasty repairs to Zadar’s shoreline left no more than a monotonous concrete wall. Basic’s Organ has transformed the area back into a place where locals and visitors can enjoy and reconnect with nature.
Director Alfred Hitchcock once claimed that the exact spot where Morske Orgulje hums its random notes, is also the place to watch the world’s most beautiful sunset. Zadar and its incredible Sea Organ have understandably become a beloved icon and popular tourist destination in the country. For those unable to make the trip though, here is a recording of the said Sea Organ:
Photo Credits: linssimato, elber, maximeaudrain, Pierre Maheux