Sibenik, the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic, is situated in the most protected natural harbour, in the centre of the Adriatic coast and the ancient Adriatic Sea, at the mouth of the beautiful river Krka and at the sources of rich Croatian history. It is placed on the spot where some of the first Croatian settlers saw the blue sea for the first time in all its beauty and temper which later defended, protected and kept them safe, and at the same time, fed them for centuries.
Today Šibenik is the capital and also cultural, educational, administrative and economic centre of Sibenik-Knin County which has 51 553 inhabitants (2001).
The history of Šibenik
Sibenik was first mentioned in the document of King Peter Kresimir IV who sojourned in the fortified St. Michael`s Castle. The Venetians held the town from 1116 to 1124 and then from 1125 to 1133. Hungarian-Croatian king Stephen IV gave it its autonomy in 1167. After shorter Byzantine domination until 1180, the town was governed in succession by Hungarian-Croatian kings, Venice, Bosnian king Stephen Tvrtko and Duke Hrvoje Vukcic Hrvatinic. The town was again in the reign of Venice from 1412 to 1797. After that, together with the rest of Dalmatia, it was in the reign of Austria, except for the period of French occupation. At the end of the First World War the town was occupied by Italy, but according to the Rapal Contract, it was returned to its country.
Šibenik is the birth place of the humanist Josip Šižgorić (1420-1509), Antun Vrančić (1504-1573) and Faust Vrančić (1551-1617).
Road connections
Šibenik has an exceptional traffic position, and its good connections enable it direct communication. The Adriatic tourist road is the main road with diverging roads towards Drniš(33 km) and Knin (55 km), and further on towards the continental Croatia.
The railway line is also of great significance and it leads towards Zagreb and Split.The air traffic goes through “Split” airport in Kašteli (45 km) and “Zemunik” airport (50 km far from Šibenik).
Events
• The International Children's Festival
The undoubtable particularity of the Croatian culture and a specific trade-mark of Šibenik has been represented for fourty years now by The International Children`s Festival, a unique and established cultural manifestation in the world.
• Šibenik Night
At the end of June on Saturday, on the eve of the International Children`s Festival opening, there is the craziest Šibenik night in which thousands of citizens and gusts overflow the streets and have fun till dawn.
• Dalmatian Chanson Nights
It is a festival known far and wide due to its, first of all, organization quality and artistic view. It takes place in the second half of August.
• Organ Summer School
Under the program of Ivan Lukačić`s school there is also Organ Summer School. It gathers competent lecturers and has a significant educational character. It works from the 17th to the 31st August.
• Šibenik Cultural Summer
Many concerts of classical music, plays, operas and pop-rock concerts are held during July and August on many open stages of Šibenik fortresses and squares.
Museums and galleries
• The Šibenik Museum
It is open all the year round. It organizes temporary and permanent expositions. It is situated in the previous Duke Palace next to St. Jacob`s Chatedral.
• The St. Krševan's gallery
The eminent Croatian artists expose their work in the gallery. The gallery also uses a studio in Petar Nakić street for its needs. It is open all the year round and it is situated at Don Krste Stošić Street.
• The Gallery AG
It belongs to the academic sculptor Aleksandar Ale Guberina and it offers his work. During the International Children`s Festival children sculptors' workshop operates here. It is situated at bb Don Krste Stošić Street
• The Gallery Madrigal
It is placed above the Town Hall and St. Jacob`s Chatedral. The gallery owner is the winner of the prize, given by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, for his participation in the program STANADI (restoration of Šibenik antiques). The gallery is situated at 3 Juraj Čulinović steps.
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