Sibenik

Geographical position

Sibenik is located in Central Dalmatia where the River Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. It is a political, educational, transport, industrial and tourist center of Sibenik-Knin county. The Central Mediterranean, a fortified town by the sea, the library of the historical sites and culture, protected by the limestone rocks and mountain hinterland, blessed with more than 300 islands, islets, cliffs and reefs in its waters, a rich vineyard treasury united in a unique poetry of the urban centre.

UNESCO: THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JACOB(JAMES)




St James cathedral is a construction made of white stone blocks in the clouds without any supporting part made of wood or any other connecting material. When you see this building  it  will fascinate you. This cathedrale is the most significant architectural achievement of the 15th and 16 century inCroatian, built up in a unique Gothic and Renaissance style with a frieze of 71 human heads in the exterior, and sculptures and mosaics in the interior. The Cathedral of St. Jacob was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.

TWO NATIONAL PARKS

Gods were kindhearted when they created this area; from the National Krka waterfalls, its rocky surroundings, islet Visovac, on which the Franciscans monastery found its setting, to the canyon of the river Krka, where the oldest orthodox monastery is situated; from the picturesque vineyards of Primosten to the National park Kornati looking like the white tears spread on the blue sea.
 

SIBENIK – THE OLDEST ORIGINALLY CROATIAN TOWN ON THE CROATIAN COAST

Unlike other cities along Adriatic coast, Sibenik was founded by Croats around the 9th century. Town Šibenik made a progress and it was mentioned for the first time in the 11th century in a document written by the king Petar Kresimir IV. Through the history many different nations was fighting for this town – from the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy over Byzantium to Venice, but the town was still making progress, spreading and developing its culture, art, navigation, trade and economy in general. Šibenik was under the Venetian rule for long 400 years, but from that period we have the most significant historical and cultural sites of Šibenik today. Among them is also the main symbol of the Town today – the Cathedral of St. Jacob.

CROATIAN LEONARDO DA VINCI: FAUST VRANCIC

Durin the Venetian government Sibenik becomes one of the most important humanistic and Renaissance centres. It was gathering place of different artist (writers, architects, historians, artists). One of them has a special place in history of Šibenik, he is Faust Vrančić. He was a polymath and bishop,  who was interested in different fields from science to theology, he published the book of inventions "Macchinae novae" as well as the "Dictionary of the five most noble European languages", making it the first dictionary of the Hungarian and Croatian languages at the same time ever printed.

COASTAL SETTLEMENTS OF THE SIBENIK REGION
 
In 2009 Primošten's vineyards were presented as the UNESCO candidate for the register of the World cultural heritage. The picture  and a picture with Primošten's vineyards is exhibited in the main building of the UN in New York.
Each place in this region has his interesting features. They representing places of rich history and culture, with beautiful and aromatic beaches. Murter village is known for the fishing tradition, village Betina is known for the building of wooden ships, the smallest inhabited island on the Adriatic coast Krapanj – is known for the sponge fishing tradition, island Zlarin is known for the coral fishing tradition, and the island Prvić is known as the island of innovations thanks to Faust Vrančić – inventor of the first usable parachute in the human history.

THE SIBENIK'S KITCHEN

 Sibenik's kitchen is a typical Dalmatian kitchen. Typical Dalmatian kitchen represents dishes with aromatic plants and olive. The so called "sir iz mišine" (sheep cheese) is an autochthon product, which has strong, refined and unforgettable taste, smell and flavour, is formed in the natural shape of a ball, and it has been delivered at the market place. It suites best with the domestic bread made under 'peka' and aromatic red wine. This Region is also famous for red wine Babić which is produced from Primošten's world-known red-grape sorts. Smoked ham of Drniš is another gastronomic delicacies awarded many times because of its quality and technology of preparation.




WEATHER IN SIBENIK

The autumn in Sibenik and the surroundings emerges easily into the sunset of warm colours and the harmony of flavours and sounds.The winter in Šibenik and the surroundings is dry, but windy. For the sunny days we recommend you to visit the island of Žirje where you can enjoy biking  or take the trip to the river of Krka and the lake of Prokljan. In Šibenik you can participate in the traditional Šibenik's regatta, visit the nautical fair or visit the three monumental town fortresses: St. Michael, St. John and Šubićevac. The spring in Sibenik is a perfect time for visiting the Hinterland of Šibenik and exploring the old fortresses situated along the river of Krka,  exploring the old fortresses situated along the river of Krka, stone houses and historical sites such as Bribirska Glavica near Skradin and its partly conserved Illyrian walls and the remains of the Roman and Early Christian town. For those who rather like adventures it is ideal to take a diving or hiking school, enjoy in paintball or riding a horse in riding centre. In sommer time it is perfect time for visiting the islands of the Šibenik's archipelago, trying the "brudet" or grilled calamari drunk from the sun and a glass of local wine.




EVENTS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SIBENIK'S AREA

In this area are organized various events such as The International Children's Festival, The International Medieval fair, enjoy a capella song evenings ("klapa" evenings) and the Dalmatian chanson evenings, the antique fair and the sport-entertainment events "Bodulska pripetavanja" with lots of organized programs, performances, plays and the whole day entertainment on every island of the Šibenik's archipelago.

Come with us on our day excursion to Sibenik starting from Trogir.