White stone and rushing foam define the landscape of Šibenik-Knin. This is the Krka Waterfalls scenic route. At Skradinski Buk the river falls over seven big stone barriers in a row. You can walk on wooden paths through the mist that comes from the water. There are old stone mills where you can see how people used to wash wool using only the power of the river. Inland the Dinara mountain rises as the highest peak in the country. It stands like a giant stone wall on the border. The views from the mountain paths are incredible and reach all the way to the sea.
The roads lead you to the Eye of the Earth. This is the source of the Cetina river and looks like a deep blue dragon's eye from the sky. It is very cold and very deep. You can also visit the Knin Fortress. It is one of the largest old forts in Europe and sits high on a rock above the city. The history of the old Croatian kings is written in the stone of these mountain passes. You can walk through the gates and see where the kings once lived. It is a landscape of power and ancient rulers that feels like it will last forever.
Visit the St. James Cathedral in Šibenik which is built entirely of stone and features 71 sculpted heads of citizens from the 15th century. For a historical detour drive to Bribirska Glavica which is known as the "Croatian Troy" for its layers of ancient and medieval ruins. Take a boat from the Šibenik waterfront to the St. Nicholas Fortress to see its unique triangular defense system from the sea. Try the Babić red wine from the stone vineyards of Primošten and the famous Drniš sheep cheese. The best panoramic view of the islands is from the St. Michael’s Fortress during an outdoor evening concert.
Šibenik Knin highlights
- Skradinski Buk Falls Walk the wooden path over the largest waterfall on the Krka river. The water falls over many stone steps and makes a loud and powerful sound in the woods. You can see old stone mills where people used to wash their clothes.
- Knin Fortress Walls Explore the massive castle on top of the rock that guards the whole city. It is one of the largest forts in Europe and has a very long history. The view from the top shows the mountains and the river below.
- Eye of the Earth Visit the source of the Cetina river which looks like a deep blue eye from above. The water is very cold and comes from a deep hole in the rock. It is a magical place that is a favorite for nature photographers.
- St. Nicholas Sea Fort Take a boat to see the triangular fortress that sits right in the middle of the sea. It was built to stop enemy ships from entering the city port. The stone walls are very thick and have many spots for old cannons.
- Visovac Island Abbey See the tiny island in the middle of a lake with a beautiful monastery and garden. You can take a boat to visit the library and the quiet church. The island is filled with tall cypress trees and many colorful flowers.
- Burnum Roman Arches Drive to the site of an ancient military camp to see the stone arches still standing. There is also a small amphitheater where soldiers once trained for war. A museum nearby shows the things found in the dirt at the site.
- Primošten Stone Vineyards See the famous vineyards where the grapes grow out of the bare grey stone. The walls create a beautiful pattern on the hills next to the blue sea. It is an amazing example of how hard people work to make wine.
- Krčić Waterfall Visit the spot where a river falls off a high cliff right at the start of its life. It is located near the city of Knin and is very beautiful in spring. The canyon below the fall is a great place for a short hike.
- Murter Sea Lookout Walk to the top of the hill on the island for a view of the hundred Kornati islands. The sea is a bright blue and the islands look like gold. It is a perfect spot for watching the sun go down over the water.
- St. Anthony Channel Path Walk or bike the new trail along the sea to see the cliffs and the old tunnels. The path leads you to a great view of the city of Šibenik. You can see the big fortress and the cathedral from across the water.
The local Four
History of Šibenik Knin
Knin is the Royal City, home to the largest fortress in the region and the seat of the first Croatian kings. The fortress is built on a massive rock that sits at the crossroads of the mountains and the sea, making it the most strategic spot in the country for a thousand years. Its location allowed the kings to tax all trade moving between the interior highlands and the coastal ports. It is the key to the entire hinterland.
The Krka River is a power plant of nature, where the water flows through seven massive travertine waterfalls. At the Eye of the Earth, the Cetina river starts as a 150-meter deep blue hole that looks like a dragon's eye from the sky. This geological phenomenon is fed by underground mountain rivers that have been flowing since the last ice age. The region is a mix of high-altitude karst and emerald river canyons that cut through the desert-like stone.
On the coast, Šibenik is the only city built by Croats rather than Romans or Greeks. Its cathedral is a structural miracle built entirely of stone, without a single piece of wood or lead to hold the roof together. The stone faces carved into the cathedral’s exterior are said to be portraits of the townspeople who refused to pay for its construction. The coast is protected by the Kornati islands, a stone crown of 140 islands that look like white pearls in the blue water.