Anyone approaching Šibenik by sea will encounter its Venetian heritage even before reaching the old town. At the entrance to St Anthony’s Channel lies the Fortress of St Nicholas on the small island of Ljuljevac. Beyond it, the channel leads into Šibenik Bay. Unlike at the The Fortress on the Hill in Kotor The focus here is directly on the route by water to the town.
Why Šibenik was important to Venice
From 1116 to 1133, and then again from 1412 to 1797, Šibenik was under Venetian rule. The harbour was accessible by sea only via the canal. Whoever defended its entrance thus also protected access to the town. Construction of the fortress began in 1540 according to plans drawn up by the Venetian military engineer Giangirolamo Sanmicheli.
The current operator cites the Ottoman capture of nearby Skradin in 1522 as the reason. Venice had to reckon with the possibility that, following the threat to the hinterland, the harbour too would come under threat. Whilst Zadar as the administrative centre of Dalmatia Whilst it fulfilled a different role, Šibenik’s sea fortress primarily served to protect the entrance to the harbour.
Approach, marina, sailing area
Šibenik is a popular destination for sailing and motor yachts on the Croatian Adriatic coast and is regarded as the gateway to the Kornati archipelago and nearby islands such as Prvić and Obonjan. The approach takes you past St Nicholas’s Fortress into the St Anthony’s Channel and on into the bay. The fortress is a landmark, but unfortunately not a mooring point for your own yacht. In the Mandalina district, near the cargo port and shipyard, the D-Marina Mandalina. It is sheltered in the harbour basin of Šibenik. The operator states that there are water and electricity connections, toilet facilities and a grocery shop. From here, you can organise a visit ashore. From Šibenik, the route continues via Lake Prukljan to Skradin, the starting point for a visit to the Krka Waterfalls. The offshore archipelago complements the town as a destination for a sailing trip in the area.
Traces of Venice: The fortress by the harbour
Since 2017, the Fortress of St Nicholas has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the Venetian defences of the 16th and 17th centuries. The fortress is regarded as an early and particularly impressive example of the so-called ‘alla moderna’ style – that is, the bastioned fortress architecture that developed with the advent of firearms.
Šibenik was a key part of Venice’s network of fortified ports in the Mediterranean, whose bases secured the Republic’s sea routes. In total, there are four fortresses in Šibenik that formed part of the Venetian defence system: towering above the old town are the Fortress of St Michael, with its open-air theatre, the Fortress of Barone and the Fortress of St John, all of which offer sweeping views of the bay and the offshore islands.
A trip ashore: By excursion boat to the fortress
The yacht remains moored at its berth for viewing. The operator only permits access as part of organised boat trips departing from the Šibenik waterfront. Individual visits and access by land are not permitted. The trips take place seasonally. For more information, please visit the A tour of St Nicholas’s Fortress The operator provides information on dates and booking options. The tour combines a view from the outside with a visit inside the structure, which your own yacht passed as it approached.
Book recommendation
The Cruising Guide to Croatia and Slovenia Dieter Berner’s guide covers the coastline between Koper and Split, including the stretch from Šibenik to Split. Eleven suggested itineraries, harbour maps and details of moorings and supplies help with trip planning. Information on the history of the towns and places of interest complements the nautical section. This allows a visit to the fortresses to be incorporated into a longer sailing trip along the Dalmatian coast.
What traces of Venice did you notice as you approached Šibenik?
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel