ŠIBENIK WITHIN CULTURAL TOURISM

Cultural tourism as a selective type of tourism gets more importance from day to day. Thanks to its culture and history, witnessed by numerous historical-cultural monuments in the Šibenik area, the town of Šibenik and its surroundings take special place within the cultural tourism of the Republic of Croatia.

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JACOB ON THE UNESCO LIST

FAUST VRANČIĆ

A significant part of the culture in the Šibenik area belongs also to Faust Vrančić – Croatian historian, linguist, inventor, diplomat, engineer, priest, and bishop who lived in the second half of the 16th and the first half of the 17th century, representing the most important Croatian constructor and technical writer of that period. He was born in Šibenik as a member of an old noble family Vrančić, and was buried according to his wish in the church of St. Mary of Mercy on the island of Prvić in the settlement of Prvić Luka.

He is the author of "The Dictionary of five most noble European languages" (Dictionarium quinque nobilissimarum Europae linguarum, latinae, italicae, germanicae, dalmaticae et ungaricae) printed in 1595, in which he gave 5.000 entries for every language, making it the first written dictionary of the Croatian and Hungarian language.

His most important work is the book "Macchinae novae" ("New machines") printed in Venice in 1615 or 1616. The work is an extremely valuable technical work with 49 pictures (copper engravings) describing 56 different machines, inventions and constructions in five languages. Among most important descriptions from the mentioned work there are wire-bridge and Homo volans (flying man), a demonstration of the parachutist. The works of Vrančić are reprinted with comments in the last decade of the 20th century. Faust Vrančić is known also as Croatian Leonardo da Vinci, since he is the inventor of the first usable parachute in the history of mankind, taking Leonardo's sketches of the parachute, changing them and trying the first parachute ever.

ŠIBENIK'S THEATRE

One of the most important buildings in the Town of Šibenik is also a worldwide known Šibenik's theatre, the second oldest theatre in the Republic of Croatia, at the same time the oldest Croatian theatre still nowadays in use. It was built up at the end of the 19th century, and its construction was financed by the inhabitants of Šibenik, which is one of its most important characteristics. The Šibenik's theatre is the proud host of the International Children's Festival for almost 50 years in a row.

MEDIEVAL TOWN CORE OF ŠIBENIK

A special aspect of the Šibenik's culture is surely its medieval town core itself, presenting the labyrinth of typical Dalmatian narrow streets, so called kala. A special value of the old Šibenik town core is represented by the churches, since exactly here you'll find the highest number of them among all the old town cores in Dalmatia – once there used to be 28 of them and 13 are preserved today.

BURNUM – ROMAN MILITARY CAMP

Only 18 km away from the second largest town in the region, the town of Knin in the Šibenik hinterland Burnum is located. It used to be an ancient Roman military camp, and today is a valuable archaeological site consisting two units – two arches, probably porticus principia of the Roman military camp Burnum, where headquarters was located (the administrative and religious centre of the Roman military camp), and an amphitheatre.

FORTIFICATIONS IN THE ŠIBENIK AREA

Historical fortifications (more than 15 of them) are a special value of the whole of Šibenik area. Four of them are located around the town of Šibenik – the fortress of St. Michael, St. John, Šubićevac and a unique fortification system on the whole of Adria, the fortress of St. Nicholas in front of Šibenik on the island of Ljuljevac. One of the most impressive is surely the fortress of Knin dominating the town of Knin, and in the area of the Krka National Park about ten of them are located.

THE FOLK TRADITION OF THE ŠIBENIK AREA

Several cultural-artistic associations are active in the Šibenik area, with the aim of presenting the traditional differences of every part of the Šibenik-Knin region. You can see many of their performances at different local parties and celebrations during the summer months.

The folk material culture of the area is distinguished by numerous handicrafts, among which some works of art are also possible to find (for example: numerous wooden objects for use and decoration, ship models, stitched shirts (embroidered shirtfront), embroidery with glass pearls ("ogrice") on shirts, "spare" (circle headrests on the women heads during the carrying of the freight), laced bands, woolen and cotton materials (eco-ethno group as a part of the cultural-artistic association "Koledišće" Jezera)).

WHERE CAN THE FOLK TRADITION BE SEEN?

The event "Festival of the sustainable development of the coast and islands", organized by the ecological association "Argonauta", is an opportunity to get acquainted with the traditional artefacts of the Šibenik area.

There are also other numerous similar events of the same character like "Customs of Primošten" in Primošten, "International medieval fair in Šibenik", "Festival of the rural culture" in Knin, "Eco-ethno fair" in Skradin and many others. Our recommendation to those willing to find out more is a visit to the Museum of the Dalmatian tradition in Pakovo selo (Ethnoland, nearby the Krka National Park).