Šibenik is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia that has only recently accepted visits from larger cruise ships..

 

 

 

Without  doubt Šibenik has probably one of the most scenic port arrivals as any visiting ship has to transit the narrow passageway that leads to the city from the Adriatic Sea, named St Anthony’s Channel….

Šibenik is also the most convenient port from which to visit Krka National Park, a mere 13 km distance or approximately 25 minute coach ride…

The close proximity of Šibenik to the National Park is a bonus as we noted on our visit that there were ship excursion coaches visiting from cruise ships berthed in Split, some one and a half hours drive away. More about the Krka National Park later.

            It is highly recommended that a good position on deck is reserved for the 
                                arrival journey along St Anthony's Channel...

…..which begins as one passes the defensive installation of St Nicholas Fortress…

…on the starboard side and Svjetionik Jadrija (the Jadrija Lighthouse) on the port side….

 

Did you spot the ‘Green Light’ at the top of the mast indicating clear to sail into the channel?

Military enthusiasts and historians will note the series of ‘Submarine Pens’….

on the starboard side as the ship passes along St Anthony’s Channel…….

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….before the final approach into Šibenik’s inner harbour……

 

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It is a very convenient port to visit as cruise ship berths are almost in the centre of the city as indicated in this photograph taken from a visiting ship…

 

 

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Sibenik was founded by Croats more than one thousand years ago, making it the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic and currently stands as an attractive cultural visit still relatively free from the over tourism of its southern sister Croatian capitals Dubrovnik and Split.

Šibenik’s real attraction now lies in its slow pace of life, majestic fortresses, Unesco Cathedral and attractive pedestrianised Old Town….

…with a maze of narrow and winding streets…..

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…studded with attractive back drops….

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Ah, there’s my girl…..

Either a walk through the Old Town or along the historical waterfront….

 

…it’s only a short distance to the Cathedral of St James….

The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James

Šibenik  is the only Croatian city with two Unesco marvels to shout about – you passed the second, St Nicholas Fortress on the sail in – and the cathedral of course was the first; a holy house, but also an art and sculpture lesson written in stone….

…with its almost unique  Triple Nave…..

…and  71 sculpted faces – a  must for religious architecture enthusiasts.

There is  no shortage of directions in Šibenik…

….and a short climb from the Cathedral will reveal the ‘Cave of the Lady of Lourdes’.…

 

For those capable of more physical exertion there is a clear route from the Cave of the Lady of Lourdes up to St. Michael’s Fortress….

or, as seen from the water….

 

….which also allows a visit to the Saint Ana’s Cemetery….

…which in itself is rather intriguing and unusual cemetery…

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Never satisfied with just one climb I now set off to inspect two further  fortresses which afford higher perches from which to digest Šibenik and its surrounding areas, firstly following the ample signage to….

 

The Barone Fortress

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A borrowed aerial view of Barone Fortress……

 

Designated an ‘early modern’  fortress Barone was constructed in 1646 on Vidakuša hill above the city. Together with the remaining three city fortresses, it is a part of the Šibenik fortification system. It played a significant role in city’s defense from the Ottomans during the Cretan War of the mid 17th Century.

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Followed by the jewel in the crown of  Šibenik’s Fortresses, St John’s Fort…

The climb was well worth it….

 

…even more so when I discovered there was no charge for entrance…..

…particularly the spectacular view…..

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As mentioned at the start of this review Šibenik is the ideal port from which to take an excursion to the Krka National Park…

Named after the river Krka  that it encloses…

…it is very easily navigable along  well boarded walkways to all the various places of interest….

…including the well restored water mill…..

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…and some of the best viewpoints…..

Skradinski Buk is one of two main waterfalls featured in Krka National Park…

 

….and is a among the most popular spots for that special photograph….

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We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Krka National Park and would recommend a visit .

 

Summary

 

That concludes this review of ‘One Way to do Šibenik ‘

It’s a rather unique and attractive port that makes a pleasant change from the high intensity and mass visitor levels of its two southern sister ports.  Should your cruise visit feature an evening in port, as ours did,  it becomes an even more attractive visit….

…with many venues featuring musical entertainment. Šibenik certainly favours the cruiser who prefers the DIY way of visits and is easily navigable on foot.