Life in Šibenik
Šibenik is approximately halfway between Zadar and Split and is the seat of the Šibenik-Knin County. Over the last few years, the city has been experiencing a big tourism boom thanks to its rich history, incredible feats of nature nearby and the cultural heritage that is recognized around the world.
With approximately 45,000 people, Šibenik is not a very big town, but those who live in it can really consider themselves fortunate because they get to enjoy all benefits od the Mediterranean way of life. However, life in Šibenik also has some interesting specificities, so should you ever decide to spend some time or even move here, this text will help you find your way around the place. Let’s go!
Šibenik sights
The city’s tumultuous history has left its mark, and there are plenty of sights to see in Šibenik that tell stories of the centuries past. Two locations are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, but there are also so many other sights you can visit.
- Cathedral of St. James: an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Šibenik, this magnificent cathedral took more than 100 years to build. Made completely of stone, each piece of this edifice has been made so that it fits together with others like a puzzle. Of course, this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Fortress of St. Nicholas: the other UNESCO World Heritage Site in town. Built on a tiny island in Šibenik Bay, the Fortress of St. Nicholas protects Šibenik from any attack from the sea. It was recently completely renovated, and you can now visit it and enjoy it whenever you want.
- The Fortress of St. Michael: the oldest Šibenik fortress overlooks the town from above and is today a unique venue for concerts and other cultural events. If you ever get the opportunity to witness such a spectacle, you simply have to go, and the sunset from this location will blow you away.
- The Fortress of St. John: a symbol of unity of Šibenik’s citizens. As part of the preparations for the Ottoman attack in the mid-17th century, the people of Šibenik financed and built this fortress themselves in less than two months! Lately, the place has become famous because it served as a filming location for the Game of Thrones show.
- Barone Fortress: Erected for the same purpose as the Fortress of St. John, Barone Fortress is today a fantastic interactive museum in which you can learn everything about the most perilous period of the town’s past. It also houses a gastronomy centre dedicated to preserving authentic Dalmatian cuisine. Because of all that, a visit to this place is well worth your time.
But these are just some of the Šibenik sights you can visit. Don’t forget about the four wells, the beautiful promenade through the Channel of St. Anthony, the old city hall, the St. Lawrence Monastery and its garden and many other things you can visit.
Šibenik’s economy
As previously mentioned, tourism plays a bit part in the economy of Šibenik, but that is by no means the only source of income for the town. Šibenik is known as the town of metallurgy, especially when it comes to aluminium.
Apart from that, Podi, the industrial zone of Šibenik, is one of the best in Croatia and has been recognized on an international level. Additionally, the new Trokut Center is supposed to be an incubator for the development of new technologies which will play a role in Šibenik’s economic activity in the future.
It also needs to be said that tourism is growing in the Šibenik hinterlands, especially in the area near Krka National Park. Towns like Drniš and Skradin are also growing a lot in that respect.
