In the year 1066 Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV. had written a document mentioning a citadel on the most indented part of the Adriatic coast, hidden amongts the channels and islands, on the very mouth of the river Krka. Together with the citadel the king mentions a settlement growing under the protection of its walls.
Different from the other cities on the eastern shores of the Adriatic sea which were founded by Illyrians, Greeks or Romans, this was the first coastal town founded by Croats. The citadel mentioned in the old document will eventually, with time, be called the fort of St. Mihovil. The settlement underneath it was the seed of the town of Šibenik.
Living on the path of conquerors for centuries, the people of Šibenik had no other option but to fority theri city on land and on sea. They had done that by building four large citadels, naming them after their beloved saints. Apart from protecting the city, they have been building their magnificent cathedral for long 15 decades. In 1536 the edifice had finally been finished and dedicated to St Jacob. This magnificent monument of medieval architecture is today enrolled on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Apart from medieval citadels, stone houses and narrow paved streets of town center, Šibenik also hides a labyrinth of underground passages and catacombs. Discover this secret by visiting the Wells of Šibenik - a unique museum experience right next to the Cathedral.
Šibenik today is a city of 56 thousand inhabitants, a cultural and tourist center of middle Adriatic, known also for its International Children Festival. And yet, if you don't find Šibenik itself enough - rent a boat and sail off to one of the enchanting beaches, coves or islands of the Šibenik arhipelago or to the nearby national parks of Krka and Kornati.
