Today’s Šibenik is a beautiful, historical city on the shore of the Adriatic coast. Unlike the neighboring cities built by Greeks, Illyrians and Romans, Šibenik was established by native Croats. Although excavations reveal the existence of early settlers, the name for this oldest Croatian city was first mentioned in 1066.
The beautiful coastal town has eventually become first an important city of medieval times and then an important center of Renaissance. Beautiful architectural jewels ranging from high stone houses to churches, from winding cobblestone streets to monasteries and archways are a distinctive feature of the Adriatic coast. The Cathedral of St. James, known as Šibenik Cathedral, is not only one of the most beautiful monuments of the city, but is also included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. The city is surrounded by four fortresses. Considered to be the most important Renaissance fortification, the Fortress of St. Nicholas among them is the only one that sits on the sea at the entrance of Šibenik port.
