Šibenik
Šibenik Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Šibenik , Croatia
The lovely and historic town of Sibenik lies on the Dalmatian Coast in central Croatia. It enjoys an enviable position overlooking the Adriatic Sea and its deep bay has served as a natural harbor for centuries. The natural beauty and setting of Sibenik make it easy to understand why it is the oldest native Croatian town on the eastern Adriatic.
History
The town first came to prominence in the 11th century when King Petar Kresimir IV designated it his seat. Sibenik, like the rest of the Dalmatian Coast, fell to the Venetians in 1412 and was heavily influenced by the arts and architecture of that culture. During the last century, this part of Dalmatia was heavily affected by both world and civil wars. However, since 1995, Sibenik has enjoyed stability under the Croatian government and this region has rebult and prospered dramatically.
The city's distinct architecture, which includes white stone buildings and red tiled roofs, is one of Sibenik's main draws. The Cathedral of Saint James (Cathedral Sveti Jakov), completed in the 16th century, is a gothic and renaissance masterpiece. The alabaster white marble facade and graceful cupolas are one reason that this church has been named a Unesco World Heritage Site. Lying just underneath the fortress walls, it is the town's trademark building and a must see for every tourist. The stone artisans and craftsmen of this city contributed to the beauty of the town with the creation of the town hall, St. Barbara's and St. Fran's churches and the lovely squares and palaces gracing the town.
Sibenik has the opportunity to showcase all of her charms to the world in the months of June and July when the International Children's Festival takes place. Music, arts, crafts and foods from this country are all on display, welcoming families from all over the world to this wonderful event.
Things to do
Nightlife
The city comes alive at night with a very young population and plenty of discos and bars. The restaurants serve the local fresh seafood and delicious wine, and many have incredible views overlooking the harbor. The tourist industry continues to grow here and new hotels and venues are popping up everyday. The medieval gardens of Sveti Lovro monastery recently welcomed its first tourist, reviving an important aspect of Sibenik's history and contributing to the cultural and educational opporunities here.
There are any number of nature excursions in the environs of Sibenik. The National Park Krka, just north of the city, is a wonderland of waterfalls, plant and animal life and important archeological ruins. Vransko Jezero Park contains a very large lake that is an excellent for fishing and bird watching. The Kornati Islands National Park is a wonderful romantic getaway with cottages that were recently named among 13 of the world's most remote hotels.
Sibenik, while less well known than other Croatian tourist draws such as Split and Dubrovnik, deserves her fair share of tourists.
