Prošlost samostana sv. Marije obilježena je jakim, samozatajnim ženama koje su snagu crpile iz Božje Riječi, štiteći samostan i benediktinski način života. U ovom izlaganju dat ćemo pregled jedanaest stoljeća povijesti samostana sv. Marije u Zadru kroz lik i djelo jedanaest opatica. Zajedničko im je da su, nakon određenih teških političkih i ekonomskih situacija, u stabilnijem razdoblju života samostana, pristupale značajnijim građevinskim zahvatima. Opatica Lampredia spominje se 920. godine, a od Ciccine obnove 1066. godine samostan kontinuirano opstoji. Opatica Vekenega u XII. stoljeću donacijom kralja Kolomana gradi kapitularnu dvoranu i zvonik. U XV. stoljeću zvonik je temeljito obnovljen, a nakon požara krajem stoljeća gradi se gotičko-renesansni trijem. U XVI. stoljeću opatica Donata Nassi pristupa obnovi crkve koja dobiva renesansna obilježja. U XVIII. i XIX. stoljeću obnovljena je unutrašnjost crkve. Posljednju obnovu samostana, srušenog i spaljenog u Drugom svjetskom ratu, vodi opatica Benedikta Braun. The past of the St. Mary's Monastery is marked by strong, self-denying women who drew their strength from the Word of God, protecting the Monastery and the Benedictine way of life. In this presentation we are giving an overview of eleven centuries of history of the St. Mary's Monastery in Zadar through the description of the character and work of eleven abbesses. All of them have in common the fact that after certain difficult political and economic situations, in a period of the Monastery's life with more stability, they undertake significant construction works. Abbess Lampredia is mentioned in 920, and since Cicca's restoration in 1066, the Monastery exists incessantly until today. Abbess Vekenega in the 12th century, and with the donation from King Coloman, is building the chapter room and the bell tower. In the 15th century, the bell tower is thoroughly restored, and after the fire at the end of the same century, a Gothic-Renaissance porch is built. In the 16th century, the abbess Donata Nassi starts the restoration of the church, which is given Renaissance features. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the interior of the church is restored. The most recent reconstruction of the Monastery is led by the abbess Benedikta Braun after it was demolished and burned in the Second World War.