At the mouth of the Krka River in central Dalmatia lies the old city of Šibenik, the only coastal city in Croatia that was built by Croats.
Generally speaking, Šibenik doesn’t exactly occupy a prominent spot on the map of popular tourist destinations in Croatia. In this post, I’m going to tell you why it should. Hopefully, I can even spark your interest in visiting this great Croatian city.
City of Šibenik:
Cultural-Historical Heritage
In the city’s golden age the city’s main architectural landmark was built, the imposing Cathedral of St. James. Constructed between 1431 and 1536, this huge cathedral is a testimony to the building skills of Šibenik’s architects, a monumental structure that is of such cultural and historical significance that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Cathedral of St. James is unique in the world. It is the only monument of this type that is constructed completely out of stone—a building that couldn’t be more typical of Šibenik, which consists of only stone buildings and squares, is built on a steep rocky coast and is protected by stone walls.
Details on the Cathedral of St. James
The entire building is built with perfectly carved stones using a method known as dry assembly. No mortar was used. Additionally, the cathedral is characterized by a perfect geometric perspective, at the time of its construction the first time that had ever been done in European architecture.
Another important historic attraction in the city is the mighty St. Michael’s Fortress with its top-floor concert venue.
National Parks:
Kornati National Park
Kornati National Park comprises 89 of the 152 islands in the Kornati archipelago, the densest group of islands in the Adriatic Sea. These rugged, wind-blasted, salt-covered and sun-dried islands are, surprisingly, a paradise of biodiversity—many unique species have adapted to these harsh conditions, the very reason the islands were declared a national park. The islands’ star attractions are their famous so-called “Kornati crowns,” steep tectonic cliffs that rise steeply out of the seabed up to heights of more than 80 meters (260 feet).
National Park Krka
The other national park near Šibenik is Krka National Park, named after the river that bisects it. This spectacular park protects seven waterfalls on the Krka River and the surrounding forests, as well as the fauna and flora that inhabit them. It also protects a few important historic sites, including a hydro-electric power plant that was finished only a few months after the world’s first similar plant was built on Niagara Falls by Nikola Tesla, incidentally a man born in Croatia. Krka National Park’s one main attraction is the gorgeous Skradinski Buk waterfall, one of the tallest and most breathtaking waterfalls in the country.
You can find more here: https://www.travel-experience-live.com/why-you-have-to-visit-sibenik-croatia/
Till next time,Luka