Sibenik, the only Croatian city with two UNESCO sites!
Sibenik sits between Primosten and Vodice at the mouth of the Krka River as it flows into the sea. But the industrial hodge-podge that surrounds much of the city still detracts from its image. Don’t be deterred. Sibenik’s old town is still very much intact and wonderful to walk through and soak up the charm, the shops and the history. The narrow streets with steep stairs down to the waterfront area, stunning architectural details on doorways and facades and the quiet beauty of these back alleyways are a real treat. And situated on its own magnificent square overlooking the sea is the city’s main claim to fame– the Cathedral of St. James (Jacov in Croatian), dating from the 1400’s, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. The three-aisled basilica took a century to
St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site
build and although it was damaged by artillery in 1991 during the Yugoslavian War, it has been completely restored with no visible changes. (The cathedral photo is by Damir Fabijanic).
In 2017, UNESCO added the city’s marvelous St. Nicholas Fortress to its World Heritage list, making Sibenik the only town in Croatia with TWO UNESCO sites! Sibenik’s waterfront is exceptionally pretty—the city has a naturally protected harbor with an unusually deep bay and.just offshore are lush green islands. The stunning waterfalls of Krka National Park and a new ethnic theme park are a short ride away. And don’t miss the wonderful Medieval Mediterranean Garden of the St. Lawrence Monastery, another town treasure. During summer nights, the gardens become alive with costumed staff serving traditional food and drink under a canopy of torchlights. Kids? The Annual Sibenik International Children’s Festival, held every June-July, for more than 50 years, is another reason to enjoy Sibenik.
Tourist Office
Fausta Vrancica 18
22000 Šibenik
Phone: +385 (0)22 212 075
+385 (0)22 219 183
Fax: +385 (0)22 200 183
E-mail: tz-sibenik@si.t-com.hr
Our favorite links
–this is the town site, quite formal, but fact-filled and interesting
–dense and comprehensive, but you’ll get there!
–a home-town agency that operates the city’s only double-decker, open air bus.
Their focus is sports and eco tours–but they have a lot of other programs, too