Šibenik Knin

Šibenik Knin

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

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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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.
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