Šibenik is a historic city in the Republic of Croatia situated in the center of the Adriatic, in a lovely, indented bay into which the Krka, one of the most stunning karst rivers in Croatia, flows. It is the political, educational, transport, industrial, and tourist center of Šibenik–Knin County and the 3rd largest city in Dalmatia with 42.599 inhabitants.
It is the oldest town founded by native Croats on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. The city of Šibenik covers a very large administrative area- one of the largest in the Republic of Croatia- including 4 islands and 50 settlements. The city of Šibenik has been part of the Venetian Republic and the Austro-Hungarian Empire for a large part of its history. This is reflected today in its architecture, cultural heritage, and lifestyle. The city industrialized at the end of the 19th century, and the city’s economy was dominated by the steel and aluminum industries until the late 20th century. Šibenik has been successfully transformed to a tourist and cultural hub on the Croatian coast by numerous projects of cultural and industrial heritage revitalization.
The Šibenik area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and dry, mild winters. Šibenik is recognizable for its cultural and historical sights and natural beauty, and it can even boast of two monuments under UNESCO protection, St. Jacob’s Cathedral and St. Nichola’s Fortress and two national parks, Krka and Kornati. Three fortesses can be found in the city: St. Michael’s, Barone, St. John’s, and St. Nichola’s from the seaside, which offers a stunning view of the St. Ante Channel and Šibenik itself.