St. Nicholas Fortress
St. Nicholas Fortress, Renaissance fortress at St. Anthony Channel, Croatia
Description
St. Nicholas Fortress is a triangular Renaissance structure that rises from an island in St. Anthony Channel near Šibenik. The fortification is reached by a narrow walkway and features thick walls with cannon positions integrated into its design.
History
The fortress was constructed between 1540 and 1547 by Venetian architect Giangirolamo Sanmicheli to protect the city from Turkish naval attacks. It replaced an older Benedictine monastery at this strategic harbor entrance location.
Culture
The fortress displays Renaissance military design in its cannon placements and robust construction, which remain visible today as you explore its layout. These features show how engineers of that era designed spaces for both defense and observation of the harbor.
Practical
You can reach this fortress only by joining organized boat tours departing from Šibenik waterfront, available during the tourist season. Check ahead about departure times and group sizes to plan your visit accordingly.
Did you know?
The fortress was precisely designed as a triangle so that every ship entering the harbor channel could be targeted from its walls with no blind spots. This mathematical precision in fortification design was remarkably advanced for its time.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Šibenik).
Šibenik Cathedral
3.2 km
Šibenik bridge
4.6 km
Solaris Aqua Park
3.7 km
Saint Michael's Fortress
3.3 km
Brodarica
6.8 km
Zaton
7.7 km
Prvić Šepurine
5.7 km
Barone Fortress
3.8 km
Šibenik Channel
1.9 km
Saint John's Fortresss
3.8 km
Prvić Luka
4.5 km
Srima
4.9 km
Šibenik town hall
3.2 km
Croatian National Theatre in Šibenik
3.4 km
Zlarin, Šibenik
3.1 km
Beach Banj, Šibenik
3.2 km
Šibenik City Museum
3.2 km
Church of Saint Chrysogonus
3.3 km
Duke's Palace in Šibenik
3.2 km
Krapanj, Šibenik
7.6 km
Saint Barbara's Church
3.2 km
Bishop's Palace
3.2 km
Holy Cross church
7.6 km
Church of St. Dominic
3.2 km
Church of the Holy Spirit
3.4 km
Rossini Palace, Šibenik
3.2 km
Jadrija Lighthouse
342 m
St. Anne's Cemetery
3.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes