The main focus of this thesis is the activity of the Franciscans in Zadar in the course of the fourteenth century and their significance in the communal life. The main part of the study is divided into three chapters. First one, The Structure and Organisation of the Order, in the first place discusses general privileges concerning Franciscans, to show their relationship between the Holy See and other institutions. Afterwards, the focus is placed on main positions in the Order, such as provincial, custos, vicar, guardian and lector, and the author tries to reconstruct the movement of friars within and beyond the Province, such as friars going to study outside the Province. Second one, The Economic Position, deals with incomes (in money, various object, and sometimes property) of the friars during the fourteenth century, which are mostly visible from the bequests in the testaments of Zadar, and questions the purposes of these bequests. The last chapter named The Connection with the Community presents the position of the Franciscans in Zadar and their connections with the community, whether it is with local ecclesiastical authorities, or signifficant individuals and Zaratine noble families. Finally, author concludes with cases of departures to pilgrimages that are connected with friars from Zadar, or in which the destination is Assisi, and ends with a short overview of Franciscan contribution to art in general level and on the level of the city of Zadar.