This Dalmatian territory is particularly well endowed with nature and culture. With a central position, between Zadar in the north-east and Split in the south-east, the region has become a privileged destination for the lovers of Croatia. Here, there are no less than two national parks (Krka, Kornati), a nature park around a huge lake (Vransko Jezero), beautiful historical cities (Šibenik, Primošten), a coastline between mountains and archipelagos, a well-developed coastline (Vodice, Solaris), an incredible river, and many other things

Šibenik, a strongly fortified royal city

The origins of Šibenik go back to the ancient times of the first Croatian kings. It was then a question of protecting themselves from all sides of the "barbarian" incursions, the invaders appearing at night as much by the sea, the river as by the highlands. In 1066, the first St. Michael's fortress was built for Petar Krešimir IV. It still stands on a hill 600 m above sea level. It was built at a strategic point to watch over the Krka estuary, where the medieval city was to develop, but also over the mountain ridge and the archipelagos off the coast. Often redesigned, it will lose its defensive vocation to shelter, from the 15th century, two enormous cisterns for the use of soldiers. For a long time, the fortress was left untouched, until it recently benefited from an exceptional rehabilitation plan, completed in June 2014. Today, the site can be visited all year round, but the most impressive thing is the creation of a new performance stage in the main courtyard, with 1,077 seats facing the sea.

The medieval city has developed into a dense network of alleys and stairways converging on the bay. A vast pedestrian perimeter enhances this harmonious historical center, around churches, palaces, private buildings, and shops. Between 1431 and 1535, the radiant Šibenik launched the construction of the St. James Cathedral. Let us speak of a construction site in the modern sense of the word, since architects, sculptors and craftsmen from Italy and Dalmatia planned a collective work. The master builders Juraj Dalmatinac (George the Dalmatian) and Nikola Firentinac (Nicholas the Florentine) drew sketches on the ground and undertook feats of construction. Thus, the ingenious system of dry-cut stones held without mortar. Then the facade will be adorned with friezes and niches where the realistic figures of 71 characters, a real portrait gallery, saints, prelates and other donors, all in period costume. The stylistic harmony of this religious edifice earned it a place on the Unesco World Heritage List in 2000

Dinaric Alps: large lakes and fiery rivers

Nature lovers are not left out. In the hinterland of Šibenik, past the new town, there is a succession of varied landscapes: a hundred-year-old forest of Aleppo pines (Gvozdenovo-Kamenar), a central part of the Velebit massif, the high mountain peak of Dinara (1,831 m), the Vrana Lake (Vransko Jezero) - the largest in Croatia

However, it is the Krka National Park that attracts the crowds. The impressive river and its two tributaries, alternately indolent and tumultuous, play with the elements. The water has carved out strings of earth in the karst rock, through which seven dizzying waterfalls flow. Not far from the famous Skradinski buk waterfall, at the point where the Krka is joined by the Čikola River after a hard struggle through the canyon, a peaceful lake (Visovačko) was formed. A wonderful landscape that can be approached as closely as possible by canyoning. In general, enthusiasts prefer the summer season to organize their trip. On the right bank of the Čikola River, you start from Drniš or Knezovi, accompanied by a mountain guide. Every participant is equipped with ropes and pro equipment for an intense day. On the program: sporty trek, jumps in small rock lakes, bathing in the hollow of waterfalls and observation... of frogs. For climbing, it is on the side of Miljevac and Pakovo Selo, on the road to Ključ, that the rock faces are the most beautiful

Less extreme, the photo safari on the Guduća River is done by boat or kayak through the marshes where many amphibians and reptiles live in the clear water

From time immemorial, this lake region has been inhabited by humans. It would even be one of the cradles of the regional human settlement. Bribir, 15 km from Skradin, has well developed the pre-Hellenistic site of Bribirska glavica, recognized by archaeologists as a sign of the Liburnian age from the 4th century BC. In the area of the national park, the exceptional natural heritage is also enriched by an important Roman site (Burnum), medieval mills, a Franciscan convent built on the island of Visovac. In Lozovac, where there is a tourist office, boatmen offer a boat ride along the upper river, which includes a visit to the monastery. Then, in its lower flow, up to the lake of Prukljansko, the Krka becomes calmer again to flow via the channel Sveti Ante (Saint Anthony) into the bay of Šibenik

285 islands, islets and reefs

On the sea side, about 15 nautical miles from Šibenik but also from Vodice, Murter, Tisno, Biograd, Pakoštane... and even Zadar, you can organize a sea trip to the Kornati. This archipelago, unique in the Mediterranean, is protected by the creation of the national park, which preserves it from any incursion of concrete. It can be approached on all types of boats, personal or rented, with or without skipper, in "day trip" formulas. Don't let yourself be harpooned on the docks by the touts! Take the time to consult the website of the Kornati National Park, look at the map of the coastline to make your choice. Everyone has to pay an entrance fee to navigate in the marine park. If it is not included in the boat ticket, visitor centers will sell it to you

On your own boat, you are lucky, the labyrinth of islands is open to you without any schedule. At your own pace! A dream yacht, sea bathing, sunbathing, diving, snorkeling, will be your main activities. Some will go fishing, an authorized practice with compulsory license and restriction. More recommended, practicing the "fish no kill", you will be armed only with a simple underwater camera. To spend the night, you can easily find a cove on a deserted island, but anchoring and camping on board or on the sand is only allowed in 16 coves precisely indicated by the park administration

There are also other islands, such as the smaller archipelago called Zut-Sit, which bends towards the Kornati to form an indissociable whole. And let's not forget the islands of Zlarin and Prvic, today's nautical paradises and the favorite retreats of Šibenik humanists who once composed inspiring maritime odes here

Useful information

When is the season? Mediterranean climate from April to November. Very hot summer on the islands, best time for swimming but difficult for hiking. Prefer the period from June to the beginning of July and then from the end of August to the end of October

How to get there. By plane, from Zadar or Split airport. By car or bus, 316 km by highway from Zagreb, 75 km from Zadar, 50 km from Split

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Useful. To prepare your trip in the best way

ŠIBENIK-KNIN REGIONAL TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the website

ŠIBENIK CITY TOURIST OFFICE - more information on the website

KORNATI NATIONAL PARK - more information on the website

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