Šibenik region

Šibenik region

Things to do - general
THE CENTRE OF THE CROATIAN ADRIATIC
Šibenik and Knin County covers about 1,860 square kilometres and surrounds the islands, the coast and the hinterland. Šibenik and Knin County has 242 islands, islets and above-sea reefs. Most of this archipelago is in the north-western part of Šibenik’s waters and is especially indented, bare and sparsely inhabited. The area of Šibenik has only 10 island settlements. The most numerous group of islands are the Kornati, widely known for their bizarre shapes and splendid natural beauties.
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.
Gods had mercy as they drew this area; from the National park of the river Krka, its rocky surroundings, waterfalls and the 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 Primošten to the National park Kornati looking like the white tears spread on the blue sea.
ŠIBENIK
Šibenik is 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. Šibenik today is the administrative, political, economic, social and cultural centre of the County of Šibenik and Knin which extends along the 100 kilometre long coastline between the Zadar and Split Rivieras, extending up to 45 kilometres into the hinterland area, at the bottom of Dinara mountain.
The Town of Šibenik is the oldest originally Croatian town on the Croatian coast, mentioned for the first time in 1066 in a document written by the Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV – therefore it is often called the Town of Krešimir.
Imagine yourself living in the 15th century and looking at the outstanding construction made of white stone blocks in the clouds without any supporting part made of wood or any other connecting material – surely it would seem to you as a dream. Today exactly this construction is the most significant one in the area of Šibenik, built up in precisely 105 years 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.
The Town of Šibenik has one more name – the City of Children, because it is in continuation for almost 50 years the host to the only children’s manifestation in Croatia with international reputation, the International Children’s Festival, known world-wide.
VODICE
The Town of Vodice is the biggest tourist centre of the region known for its liveliness and rich and various tourist offer – an ideal place for vacations, where everyone can find something for himself.
Vodice is situated along the shore in a large bay, 11 km north-west from Šibenik, geographically in the centre of the region. The first written document about Vodice dates from 1402. Today there are about 8 000 inhabitants, this number rises in the summer months.
If you are among those who really want to rest while on vacation, Srima is the right choice for you. You can choose among a number of private apartments right on the seaboard. After you have your breakfast on the terrace, you will literally step down to a beautifully maintained beach and clean sea. If you feel like some summer partying after a whole day of lying in the sun and swimming, Vodice is not far away. Vodice and Srima have actually been one for a long time – few people know where Vodice stops and Srima begins.
Country Šibenik
Location

Region in southern Croatia, located in the north-central part of Dalmatia

Population109.375 (2011.)
Area (km2)2.984

Culture and History

The fortified town of Šibenik was founded by Croats around the 9th century. Due to the development of the medieval Croatian state the 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 Krešimir IV. Shortly afterwards there were many different nations 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.

In the times of the Venetian government Šibenik becomes one of the most important humanistic and Renaissance centres, a gathering place of different writers, architects, historians, artists among which a special place belongs to Faust Vrančić, the Renaissance figure interested in different fields from science to theology, who 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.

There were many different governments, empires, monarchs and armies here, until the Croatian National Party came, taking over the community authorities of the Town. In the meanwhile, the town makes progress, it grows, builds the water supply system, and the first power station in the whole of Europe... The inhabitants occupied themselves with navigation, shipbuilding, and fishing; the islands were distinguished by the tradition of the sea sponge and coral fishing, viticulture, agriculture, olive and vegetable growing.

The olive growing and viticulture had a leading role in the whole area of Šibenik for centuries, as well as in the surrounding settlements such as Vodice and the island of Murter. On the other hand, Primošten has, since its beginning, the most picturesque and the richest vineyards in the whole area, speaking about the human diligence and struggle with the poor soil. In 2009 the vineyards were presented as the UNESCO candidate for the register of the World cultural heritage, and a picture featuring Primošten's vineyards is permanently exhibited in the main building of the UN in New York representing the hard human work through the centuries and struggle with the Dalmatian stone. Places as Jurlinovi dvori or Pakovo selo cherish their autochthony, tradition and the original way of life.

In the Dalmatian Zagora people occupied themselves with agriculture and cattle-breeding as well as with traditional crafts. The Town of Knin, a constituent part of Zagora, was the most powerful fortified town in Dalmatia and one of the seats of the Croatian kings as well, due to very good visibility towards the whole of Liburnia and Dalmatia.

The islets of Zlarin, Krapanj, Murter, Žirje and Kaprije are the closest to the coast of Šibenik representing places of rich history and culture. They abound in agriculture-friendly soil, vineyards and fishing boats. The traditions of navigation and fishing are preserved until today, and besides farming they were the only source of life. Beautiful and aromatic beaches of these islands, the crack of wood warmed under the sun and variegated fruits are what adorn these beautiful romantic islands.

Culture and history image

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