Church of St. Simeon was built in the XIV century, but its present form (Baroque) found in the XVII century, and the first written mention of the church of St. Simeon refers to 1190.

Sacred relics and the main treasure of the church is the sarcophagus of medieval goldsmith work with the relics of Saint Simeon. In this artistic work has been allocated 250 pounds of silver and five Commissioners noblemen of Zadar in 1377 entered into an agreement with the master on the date of execution. The sarcophagus is made of cedar and decorated with gilded silver plates, it is supported by two bronze sculptures of angels. This relic is recognized as a masterpiece of the jeweler's art. In addition, this work is of great historical significance. It commemorated the important dates in the history of Zadar.

According to some historical sources, until the 13th century relics of St. Simeon kept in Constantinople and, according to the pictures on the sarcophagus, they were transferred to Zadar in 1203 .  According to legend, the crusader, probably a Venetian nobleman, returning from Syria on his ship, carrying the relics of Saint Simeon .  But Zadar found him a strong storm, during which he had a cold, his ship was too badly damaged .  The nobleman had to take refuge in Zadar on time . While the ship repaired, Crusader hermitage, which he said he carries the body of his brother, .  They buried relics near Zadar .  Despite the efforts of the monks, a nobleman and became worse after a long illness, he died .  Monks discovered hidden in the breast of the deceased notes about the miracles of St. Simeon, the power of which he was carrying, and went to the cemetery to look for relics .  There they saw the sign, and since then, in Zadar there is a cult of Saint Simeon . 

Construction of the church was helping to implement the Queen Elizabeth, she was a devotee of the saint. But it has been and political reasons, King Louis I the Great fiercely fought then with the Venetians over Zadar, and in 1358, according to an amicable settlement of Zadar, finally received the status of a free city.

And in 1380 on the sarcophagus of the master Franjo from Milan engraved inscription in Latin that Elizabeth, the wife of Louis I, in deference to free the city and the holy sarcophagus conveys nothing, and it must rest in the power of the righteous - Saint Simeon.