PHOTO: IVO BIOČINA, CNTB
Water, the Ultimate Shaper of History

A unique journey across Šibenik– Knin County, from neolithic to present days.

A story of true human dependence on nature most precious gift that we take for granted.

Since the beginning of life, it was all about– water. Discover the impact of water in shaping the history as we know it today. Find out about great inventions of men to collect and preserve water, and use its power. Enjoy spectacular views of National Park Krka and Šibenik bay. Dive into the crystal clear fresh water of Krka and blue Adriatic sea. Taste unique specialities of Dalmatian sea and inlands.

6 locations with over 20 top attractions, including:

  • National park
  • UNESCO monument
  • Museums
  • Archeologic sites
  • Mediterranean urban and rural architecture
  • Roman amphitheatre
  • Gastro specialities of Dalmatian coast and inlands
  • Voyage by boat through Šibenik Channel
  • Swimming in crystal clear fresh water and sea

and many more!

The City of Šibenik – Hidden Jewel of East Adriatic

Situated in beautiful bay where river meets the sea, with 950 years long and rich history. The story begins in recently renovated multimedial Šibenik City Museum, presenting 7.000 years of continuous life in the area, including findings and stories from all archeologic sites on the route.

Four wells squares in Šibenik brings the story about importance of water supplies and gives the unique opportunity to step inside the old water tank, now turned into small museum. St. James Cathedral, UNESCO protected architectural masterpiece with beautiful baptistery of religious aspect of water in Christian belief.

Walking through narrow streets of Šibenik downtown with over 20 churches and monasteries, bring you to one of four fortresses that surround the city. St. Michael’s fortress, with spectacular viewpoint at Sibenik bay, mouth of the river Krka and sea route through Sibenik channel, was elected as Croatian top cultural attraction for 2014.

Before you visit Šibenik,don’t forget to check out the event calendar. There arehundreds of events, concerts, public projections, exhibitions and festivals going on in Šibenik every year. And inside these mediaeval walls, every event becomes spectacle worth attending.

After walk, just relax and enjoy some refreshment. Have meal in one of numerous restaurants in the old town, serving mussels and other sea delicacies.

Places to see:

  • City Museum
  • “Four wells” square
  • St. James Cathedral
  • St. Michael’s fortress
  • Old town

Island of Prvić – Power of Water as an Inspiration to Genius

“Put your finger in the sea, and you’ll be connected to the whole world”, one says. And it’s true. Since the beginning of trade, river and sea routes were the main “highways” between civilizations. Sailing through Šibenik channel, the ending stream of river Krka and doorway to open sea, is unique experience for any visitor. Attractive sea passage is natural protected area with many significant cultural monuments. St. Nicholas fortress, Venetian architectural gem, is the most attractive of all.

Memorial centre “Faust Vrančić” on the island of Prvić is dedicated to great Humanist Renaissance innovator. Although his most famous work is Homo Volans (parachute), many of his inventions published in book Machinae Novae were inspired by the power of water. Take a look at the collection of the models of his inventions, some of which are real life size, and his more important written works.

After the visit to Memorial centre, take your time and enjoy the real Mediterranean atmosphere of unpolluted, quiet, peaceful island. Take a swim into crystal clear sea, or find some local restaurant with fresh fish, sip a glass of wine and simply let the time pass.

Places to see

  • Šibenik channel
  • St. Nicholas fortress
  • Island of Prvić, MC “Faust Vrančić”

Vodice area – Wells of Water, Wells of Life

The town of Vodice is a tourist centre famous for its lively and various tourist offer and pleasant people. Origin of name Vodice is related to water (Croatian word for water is “voda”). It’s developed on a dense network of ground water and until 1960 in Vodice were as many as 500 wells, some of which proudly stand in the center reminding of the days when a well was not merely a place where people came to get drinking water and wash their laundry ; all social events took place there, new loves were born and marriages agreed, wheel dances were danced and songs were sung, people met and parted there, laughed and cried. Two wells are preserved in the central town square, in memory of tradition and old customs.

History of life in area is much older and reaches to prehistoric times. There are many historical records and archeologic sites to prove it. Velika Mrdakovica is the most important of them. Rich finds of glass tableware – probably the most valuable collection of its kind on the entire territory of the Roman Empire – speak of the fact that this was a significant settlement, which many will identify with Arausa that Ptolomaeus wrote about. At the foot of the site is a Roman cistern, still functional natural trap used to collect rain and supply the population with drinking water. Twice a year, the old roman traditions come alive by the old water tank. Visitors can go back to the glorious era of ancient Rome, taste dishes from that time, listen to music, wear the toga and enjoy the Roman Bacchanal.

Places to see:

  • Vodice city centre, wells
  • Restaurants & caffe bars in Vodice
  • Velika Mrdakovica, archeologic site

NP Krka, Upper stream – Border between Civilizations and Connection to the Spiritual Dimension

The archeological site Bribirska glavica is one of the most important historical locations in Croatia, whose name originates from Roman Varvaria. Looking at its remains, it’s possible to follow the sequence of living from the prehistory, Liburnian age, Early and Late Antiquity, Early Croatian to Early and Late Middle Ages.

According the legend, tranquillity and peace of calm water brought the first Christians to the banks of river Titus (today Krka) to listen to Apostle Paul’s sermons. Upon catacombs and graves of those days, today stands Monastery Krka, providing uplifting atmosphere for spiritual renewal and development of Orthodox believers.

Further north, Roman legionary camp Burnum was situated at a strategically important position for controlling passage across the river. The remnants of arches of the military command building and a well preserved amphitheatre are still visible today. All the findings and records of that era can be seen in the nearby museum in Puljane. Experience re-enactment of life during the reign of Roman emperors during the annual event “Burnum Ides”.

If you stop and listen, you will hear a roar of Manojlovac waterfall. Astonishing scene of falling water from the nearby viewpoint thrilled the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Sissi so much that they made a stone engraved memory of that day.

Places to see:

  • Archeologic site Bribirska glavica
  • Orthodox monastery Krka
  • Waterfall Manojlovac
  • Burnum, roman amphitheatre and museum collection

NP Krka, Middle and Lower stream – Power That Moved the World

Before the industrial revolution, it was the power of water that ran the world. It run the mills and turned corn and wheat into bread, providing food and well-being to the people. Watermills and whirlpools in Roški slap are renovated and are functional today, so visitors can learn about the whole process, taste domestic bread, smoked ham, cheese and other delicious products. Old whirlpools, once used as “washing machines” today serve as attractions. You can jump in and feel the power of water stream on your skin and bones. Sit and relax the fresh air in nearby restaurant, take a hike on one of the trails, or ride with a boat up the river. Discover the “Oziđana pećina” cave, researched and preserved archeologic site with many findings dating to prehistoric era. The Visit to Monastery Visovac is one of the highlights of Route. The view of the lake, small island and monastery from the top of the canyon will stay in your memory for a long time. The Area of Miljevci, Pakovo selo and Konjevrate became famous for rural households who serve extraordinary domestic meals; smoked ham, cheese, lamb, pork and excellent wine.

It was the year 1895 when the world famous “battle of currents” between Tesla and Edison ended. The great hydropower plant on Niagara falls was opened and the electrification of the world could begin. Just two days later, Jaruga power plant on beautiful Skradinski buk waterfalls on river Krka was set in motion, placing Šibenik on the map of the pioneers of electrification in the world.

Places to see:

  • Roški slap waterfalls
  • Monastery Visovac
  • Rural households in Miljevci, Pakovo selo and Konjevrate area
  • Jaruga Hydropower plant on Skradinski buk waterfalls
  • The Town of Skradin

Archeologic site Danilo – Caldarium – Antique Delights in Heated Water

Danilo is a well known archaeological site, where numerous rests from the Neolithic, Illyrian and Roman times were discovered, as well as the findings from recent times. The history of Danilo started already in the Neolithic period, more than seven thousand years ago. The culture named "the Danilo culture'' entered in the Croatian and world literature. The Danilo culture is characterized by well shaped and baked vessels - characteristically shaped pots, pans and plates. The most famous of them, The Danilo Rhyton is displayed in Šibenik museum

During the Roman era, Danilo was known as Rider, great settlement with over 10.000 people. In Roman villa, there are visible remains of water based system of house heating, and caldarium. Wellness effect and joy of having baths in hot water was very well known to the Romans.

After sightseeing the site, visitors can take a hike up the hill to the remains of old “Gradina” fort, or try some gastronomic dishes in nearby restaurants, serving traditional food, to organized groups of visitors.

The Route Brochure is available HERE.

THE HERA PROJECT
Sustainable Tourism Management of Adriatic Heritage

The HERA Project (Sustainable Tourism Management of Adriatic Heritage) is co-financed from the IPA Adriatic Cross - Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. Zadar County is the lead beneficiary of the Project while Šibenik-Knin County is one of the project partners. The Project implementation period started on 1st of November 2013 and will last until 31st of March 2016. The partnership consists of 19 partners from 8 countries of the Adriatic Basin (Croatia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece).

HERA’s specific objective is "To develop a joint cross-border platform within the Adriatic area for management and promotion of sustainable tourism based on common cultural heritage". HERA deals with one of the major problems of all partner countries concerning culture & tourism sector - lack of an integrated management & promotion strategy of cultural heritage and insufficient involvement of community actors in cultural heritage promotion & valorisation activities.

In the Šibenik-Knin County the most notable project activity was focused on preparatory and archeological works on the archeological site Velika Mrdakovica.