Šibenik
One of the most interesting towns located around the Makarska Riviera is Šibenik – a city located on the Croatian coast, about 80km north of Split. At the same time, it is one of the most naturally protected ports on the Adriatic coast due to its location in a deep bay.
Why Šibenik Should be a Must Visit Location on Your Croatia Cruise Holiday
Šibenik, although not as well known and popular as Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar, offers its own unique and unique personality and guarantees numerous and interesting things to see. The atmosphere in Šibenik pulsates with youth and life, colorful crowd and fun.
Small, narrow streets lead to attractive and charming squares, where modern shop windows harmoniously harmonize with the stylish architecture of past centuries.
One of the most interesting monuments in Šibenik that you must visit is the cathedral Cathedral of St. Jakov, built in 1434. It is an extremely important architecturally Renaissance building in Croatia, whose value was appreciated by being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The cathedral is located just below the city walls, in the old part of Šibenik. The temple was built of limestone stone and marble, which was imported from the island of Brač, famous for its excellent stonemasons.
The construction of the church was supervised by two distinguished Croatian stone masters, Juraj Dalmatinc and Nikola Firentinac. Šibenik Cathedral is one of the architectural gems located on the Dalmatian coast, which only monuments of Dubrovnik can face.
The town hall and the church of St. Barbara. It is also worth visiting numerous squares, palaces, fortresses and other temples that are located throughout the city.
Šibenik is also the organizer of numerous cultural events and events. The most popular include: International Children’s Festival (last week of June and first week of July), Summer Organ School (in the second half of August) and Šibenik Summer. It is worth visiting the city on July 25, on St. James’s Day, which is the patron of the city, when numerous celebrations take place.
What to See in Šibenik
From the sea the view of the town is magnificent: to get to the harbour, vessels have to pass through the Sv. Ana channel (St. Anne), and by Fort Sv. Nikola (St. Nicholas), the work of the famous Italian Renaissance fortification builder Michele Sammichele.
The town developed on hilly terrain, which is thoroughly packed with houses that have been huddled together since the town was first mentioned in 1066. Gradina, the oldest part of Šibenik, still exudes a mediaeval atmosphere.
As the town expanded around Gradina, the building styles changed.
Stylistic variation can also be seen on the most important building in Sibenik, the cathedral of Sv. Jakov (St. Jacob), which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It was built during the 15th century. The cathedral was the crowning achievement of Juraj Dalmatinac’s architectural work, a masterful synthesis of Gothic and Renaissance elements; Juraj’s work on the cathedral was completed by Nikola Firentinac.
On the outer wall of the apse, the cathedral displays a remarkable frieze sequence of 74 human heads, probably representing the contemporary citizens of Sibenik. Unique construction techniques, involving grooved stone slabs, were used for the vault.
The baptistery in the crypt under the south apse is perhaps the most impressive example of Juraj’s interpretation of different stylistic conventions.
The spirit of Šibenik is not embodied only in buildings, but it can also be heard in popular harmony-singing and tasted in quality wines from nearby vineyards. Grapes have been grown for centuries by hardworking farmers who have been reclaiming small tracts of fertile soil from the karst, particularly near Primošten.
The Krka River is also an important part of Sibenik’s identity, with its falls and the picturesque area around Lake Visovac. In the middle of the lake is a small island on which there is a Franciscan monastery.
One should experience the summer shade under the mulberry tree in Skradin, taste the prosciutto ham (prsut), cheese and the famous wine Babic in Primosten, or go for a swim on a scorching day in Rogoznica.
