The Siege of Zadar or Siege of Zara (Croatian: Opsada Zadra; November 10–24, 1202) was the first major action of the Fourth Crusade and the first attack against a Catholic city by Catholic crusaders. The Fourth Crusade sacked the Croatian town of Zadar, a rival of Venice, despite letters from Pope Innocent III forbidding such an action and threatening excommunication.[7]