Sibenik Travel Guide, Croatia

SIBENIK-Croatia

This city distinguishes itself from the others by being very different from in the sense that it is purely Croatian and there’s little Italian influence so you will have a chance to see a unique Croatian city. TYhis characteristic makes it very special even if it lacks the Roman charm of the other cities.

The city is located near the estuary of Krka river linked to the Sibenik Channel and having ferry connections to neighboring islands like: Zirje, Obonjan and Zlarin. It is alco close to the cities of Zadar and Split, two major resorts on the M 2 road. Its wide bay, The Bay of Sibenik, is perfect for this port city.

With a population of about 41 thousand residents, Sibenik is an average size city whose economy has suffered due to the war in 1991, but the natural beauty that surrounds it comes as a compensation. Being a port its economy is based on shipbuilding and food industry (there are a lot of vineyards in the surrounding area and agriculture is one of the main occupation of many of the locals), but recently it has relied a lot on tourism.

Tourism puts foreword the city’s beauty: its amphitheatre shape surrounding St. Anne Fortress, the ruins of the old city, its winding and narrow streets, its harbor, its churches, it stone buildings. The natural surroundings of divine beauty are also an attraction to the tourists who come to see Roski Waterfall, Skradinski Buk, Visovac island and Visovac Lake or the Kornati Archipelago.

This combination of natural wonders makes Sibenik area one of the very attractive. Great nature makes for perfect sports grounds and Sibenik has plenty. You can choose to play volleyball, basketball, go horse riding, diving, hunting, yachting and rowing, swimming.

Besides playing sports you must visit Krka National Park that is quite near the city. It offers great views with wonderful waterfalls similar to the ones in Plitvice, beautiful rock formations and the Krka River. It is easy to find your way in and around the park as all the entrances are well marked and there are roads accessible for cars. You can also visit the park by boat. The park was declared a national park in 1985 and it is special because besides natural beauty it hosts historic places like a 15th century Franciscan monastery placed in the middle of Visovac Lake and ancient settlements along the Krkca River.

Facilities like free parking are to be forum at any entrance of the park. It is at the entrance that you can find the information centre where you can get an insight to what you can see and information on how to make the most of your visit. You will surely have a great time visiting it!

Great time in Sibenik is guaranteed for children too if they will be here at the end of June and the beginning of July to take part in the International Children Festival, a festival with a long history as the first festival was held in 1958 and had at its start the enthusiasm of some art lovers who wanted to give children the opportunity to express themselves. It soon grew into an important event throughout the country and now it gained international reputation. Children have the opportunity to exhibit their work as the festival’s aim is to stimulate children to express themselves creatively in many artistic fields so you’ll be able to see paintings, drama representations, puppetry and some workshop activities. Of course all parents, teachers and the local community are involved in the organization, tourists are just visitors that enjoy seeing their work.

Another attraction is the historical town centre that holds the statue of the city’s patron St.Mihovil guarding the remains of the old city walls. The entrance to the old town is from Poljan side which is not far from the genuine entrance that was used until 1864. Inside the old town you can see a neo-renaissance theatre building

Dating 1870, palaces of local noblemen, the Town Square, the Square of the Croatian Republic, the City Hall, the cathedral, the City’s Prince’s Palaces and many other architecturally representative buildings. Most of the old building lie in the western part of the old town. The one building that stands out is the Cathedral Of Sibenik, a unique piece of architecture.

If you want to see a true Croatian port city with a rich historical heritage and wonderful surroundings, Sibenik is it.

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