Šibenik is situated in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic Coast, in the picturesque and indented bay where the Krka River, one of the most beautiful karst rivers in Croatia enters the sea. Today Šibenik, with 46,332 inhabitants, is the administrative, political, economic and socio-cultural center of the Šibenik-Knin County.
Šibenik is famous for its cultural and historical sights and natural beauties, and boasts two monuments under the protection of UNESCO, the Cathedral of St. James and the St. Nicholas’ fortress as well as the two national parks, Krka and Kornati. There are even three fortresses in the city: St. Michael’s, Barone, St. John’s and St. Nicholas’ on the sea side with a beautiful view over the St. Anthony’s Channel and the city of Šibenik.
Attractions
Mediterranean Monastery Garden of St. Lawrence was restored and opened in 2007, after being forgotten for a hundred years. It is an integral part of the St. Lawrence Monastery, and was restored according to the project of architect Dragutin Kiš.
It is the only garden of its kind in Croatia. In the center of the garden there is a water source, surrounded by medicinal and spicy Mediterranean herbs.
Barone Fortress was built immediately after the St. John’s fortress before the Ottoman army arrival during the Cretan War. Today you can experience this event through the technology of a so-called extended reality that revives the characters, sounds and scenes of the 17th-century Šibenik.
It was built by order of Baron Christophe Martin von Degenfeld, a main commander of the city defence, after whom the fortress was named. It was initially built as a small fortress (ridotto) in order to obtain the final shape in 1659 during the rule of governor-provveditore Antonio Bernardo.
With its natural beauty and breath-taking panoramic view to Šibenik, the Šibenik archipelago and the St. Nicholas Fortress, the St. Anthony’s Channel has many cultural and natural values.
It is suitable for family walks and sightseeing, organized tourist groups, jogging and cycling.
St. Michael’s Fortress was built on a steep, rocky hill with the beautiful view to the numerous islands of the Šibenik archipelago and the medieval town.
Throughout turbulent history, it served as the main point of the city fortification system. Šibenik, the oldest autochthonous Croatian town on the Adriatic, was developed within its walls and first mentioned on Christmas Day of 1066 as the place where the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV stayed. Most of the preserved ramparts and fortress bastions date from the late Middle Ages and Early Modern Age. The fortress was revitalized in 2014 and has a unique open-air summer stage.
