Built in 1646 to defend Šibenik from an impending Ottoman attack, St John’s Fortress has recently completed major renovations and is again open to visitors. No longer bristling with cannons and soldiers, the grounds of the impressive star fortress have been converted into an expansive garden. Built underneath is now an educational campus, with a museum, interactive classrooms and conference rooms. Documentation in English and Croatian throughout. The fortress is positioned at the highest hilltop above Šibenik and provides excellent views over the city. Telescopes give an extraordinarily detailed perspective of Šibenik and surrounding area.
The fortress is a ten-minute drive or a 30-minute walk from the centre of Šibenik, the final approach a steep climb of a few hundred metres. Note that tickets also grant admission to the Barone Fortress nearby.
St. John’s Fortress Put Tanaje 29, 22000 Šibenik (tvrdjava-kulture.hr/en). Open Daily 9am-10pm. Admission July 1-Oct 31 75kn, 50kn discounted. Nov 1-June 30 free.