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The city of Sibenik lies at the mouth of the Krka river. The submerged mouth of the river creates a spacious bay which is connected with the open sea through the deep, navigable canal of St. Anthony. It is unusual that such an excellent sheltered port with an exceptional strategic position, was not mentioned earlier than 1066 in a document where it is stated that the Croatian king Peter Kresimir held court there for Christmas. Thus Sibenik is the youngest of the Dalmatian cities founded by Croatian kings. During these turbulent cities Sibenik experienced a series of Turkish treats and its Medieval appearance underwent changes with the construction of new, powerful fortifications. Concerned about the defense of the Sibenik harbour from the sea, the Venetian Republic, during the first serious signs of the Turkish treats, in 1540 built one of the most beautiful Renaissance fortress on the Adriatic, even perhaps on the Mediterranean. The fortress of St. Anne, located 70 meters above the sea at the very top of the hill where rises the historical core of Sibenik, dominates over the city. The powerful star-like fortress of St. John played a decisive role in the defense of the city from a powerful Turkish attack. At the same time, the powerful fortress Subicevac was raised somewhat to the East. The historical core of Sibenik developed in an amphiteatre-like fashion around the old harbour, climbing uphill and spreading out to the East and to the West. The centre of the historical city of Sibenik was its main square, Plathe communis, today the Square of the Republic of Croatia,with all the most significant sacral and lay buildings in its surroundings. The Sibenik cathedral, consacrated to the apostle Jacob, is the most important building in the city and its true symbol.Thanks to its famous builders and their bold conceptions, the significance of this edifice trascends not only the local framework and region. With these characteristics the cathedral has been registered in the UNESCO register of world artistic herritage. In the 15th century the bishop's palace was erected alongside the southern facade of the cathedral. Opposite the cathedral is the representative City town-hall. On the western part of the main square stands the statue of Juraj of Dalmata, the builder of the Sibenik cathedral, the work of the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. To the southeast of the cathedral two wings of the Duke's Palace, were adapted for the needs of the Sibenik county museum. Talking about important churches we have to mention the church of St. Barbara with the small but valuable collection of church art. A large bell from 1266 has been placed alongside the southern facade of the church os St. Krsevan, the oldest bell in Croatia. The Renaissance New Church is characterized by the painted wood indented ceiling, the oldest example of such decorative covering of the ceiling in Dalmatia. To the east a new square, Poljana was formed whose western side is defined by the theatre building. To the south of Poljana a city promenade was constructed, recently wholly renovated. Recently a statue of king Petar Kresimir IV, the work of the famous Croatian woman sculptor Marija Ujevic- Galetovic was set up at the southern entrance into the promenade. Two first class national parks have been established nearby Sibenik: the National Park Krka and the National Park Kornati. Amongst the significant cultural events one must mention the International Children's festival which has been successfully staged in Sibenik for almost half a century. During the last Homeland war the city was saved by the heroic resistance of its people.
Riviera Sibenik - Reiseführer:
Pirovac | Primosten | Raslina | Rogoznica | Sibenik | Skradin | Srima | Tribunj | Vodice | Zablace | Zaton
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