Jump to content

Šibenik

Coordinates: 43°44′06″N 15°53′26″E / 43.73500°N 15.89056°E / 43.73500; 15.89056
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by J3Y B6xE5aY (talk | contribs) at 14:59, 12 April 2016 (→‎See also: added popular Šibenik beach resort Jadrija). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other places with the same name, see Šibenik (disambiguation).

Šibenik
City
Top: View of the city; Center left: Narrow streets of Šibenik; Center right: Cathedral dome; Bottom: Summer stage inside Šibenik Fortress
Flag of Šibenik
Flag
Official seal of Šibenik
Seal
Country Croatia
County Šibenik-Knin
Government
 • MayorŽeljko Burić (HDZ)
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • City46,332
 • Urban
34,302
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
22000
Area code022
License plateŠI
Websitehttp://www.sibenik.hr/

Šibenik [Croatian pronunciation: [ʃîbeniːk]] (Italian: Sebenico) is a historic city in Croatia, located in central Dalmatia where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. Šibenik is a political, educational, transport, industrial and tourist center of Šibenik–Knin County and also the 3rd largest city in the historic region of Dalmatia. It is the oldest native Croatian town on the shores of the sea.

History

Early history

Early 16th century map of Šibenik by Martino Rota.

Unlike other cities along the Adriatic coast, which were established by Greeks, Illyrians and Romans, Šibenik was founded by Croats.[2] Excavations of the castle of Saint Michael, have since proven that the place was inhabited long before the actual arrival of the Croats. It was mentioned for the first time under its present name in 1066 in a Charter of the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV[2] and, for a period of time, it was a seat of this Croatian King. For that reason, Šibenik is also called "Krešimirov grad" (Krešimir's city).

Between the 11th and 12th centuries, Šibenik was tossed back and forth among Venice, Byzantium, and Hungary. It was conquered by the Republic of Venice in 1116,[3] who held it until 1124, when they briefly lost it to the Byzantine Empire,[4] and then held it again until 1133 when it was retaken by the Kingdom of Hungary.[5] It would change hands among the aforementioned states several more times until 1180.

The city was given the status of a town in 1167 from Stephen III of Hungary.[6] It received its own diocese in 1298.[2]

In the 14th century, "Vlachs" were present in the hinterland of Šibenik.

Under Venice and the Habsburgs

The city, like the rest of Dalmatia, initially resisted the Republic of Venice, but it was taken over after a three-year war in 1412.[2] In August 1417, Venetian authorities were concerned with the "Morlachs and other Slavs" from the hinterland, that were a threat to security in Šibenik.[7] The Ottoman Empire started to threaten Šibenik (known as Sebenico), as part of their struggle against Venice, at the end of the 15th century,[3] but they never succeeded in conquering it. In the 16th century, St. Nicholas Fortress was built and, by the 17th century, its fortifications were improved again by the fortresses of St. John (Tanaja) and Šubićevac (Barone).

The Morlachs started settling Šibenik during the Cretan War (1645–69).[8]

The fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797 brought Sebenico under the authority of the Habsburg Monarchy.[3]

After the Congress of Vienna until 1918, the town was (again) part of the Austrian monarchy (Austria side after the compromise of 1867), head of the district of the same name, one of the 13 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Kingdom of Dalmatia.[9] The Italian name only was used until around 1871.

In 1872, at the time in the Kingdom of Dalmatia, Ante Šupuk became the town's first Croat mayor elected under universal suffrage. He was instrumental in the process of the modernization of the city, and is particularly remembered for the 1895 project to provide street lights powered by the early AC Jaruga Hydroelectric Power Plant. On 28 August 1895, Šibenik became the world's first city with alternating current-powered street lights.[10]

20th century

Šibenik Bridge

After World War I, Šibenik was occupied by the Kingdom of Italy until 12 June 1921. As a result of the Treaty of Rapallo, the Italians gave up their claim to the city and it became a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. During World War II it was occupied by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Communist partisans entered Sibenik 3.11.1944.

After WWII it became a part of the SFR Yugoslavia until Croatia declared independence in 1991.

During the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), Šibenik was heavily attacked by the Yugoslav National Army and Serbian paramilitary troops.[3][better source needed] Although under-armed, the nascent Croatian army and the people of Šibenik managed to defend the city. The battle lasted for six days (16–22 September), often referred to as the "September battle". The bombings damaged numerous buildings and monuments, including the dome of the Cathedral of St. James and the 1870-built theatre building.

In an August 1995 military operation, the Croatian Army defeated the Serb forces and freed the occupied areas,[3] which allowed the region to recover from the war and continue to develop as the centre of Šibenik-Knin county. Since then, the damaged areas of the city have been fully restored.

Climate

Šibenik has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers. January and February are the coldest months, July and August are the hottest months. In July the average maximum temperature is around 30 °C (86 °F). The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[11]

Climate data for Šibenik
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5) 		22.7
(72.9) 		26.2
(79.2) 		28.8
(83.8) 		34.0
(93.2) 		37.6
(99.7) 		38.2
(100.8) 		39.2
(102.6) 		35.4
(95.7) 		30.3
(86.5) 		28.4
(83.1) 		20.3
(68.5) 		39.2
(102.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.8
(44.2) 		7.4
(45.3) 		10.0
(50.0) 		13.6
(56.5) 		18.4
(65.1) 		22.2
(72.0) 		25.0
(77.0) 		24.6
(76.3) 		20.6
(69.1) 		16.3
(61.3) 		11.7
(53.1) 		8.2
(46.8) 		15.4
(59.7)
Record low °C (°F) −10.2
(13.6) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		2.3
(36.1) 		8.3
(46.9) 		11.6
(52.9) 		10.2
(50.4) 		6.9
(44.4) 		2.1
(35.8) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−8.9
(16.0) 		−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 74.1
(2.92) 		60.1
(2.37) 		62.0
(2.44) 		62.7
(2.47) 		49.0
(1.93) 		53.0
(2.09) 		29.7
(1.17) 		44.9
(1.77) 		75.5
(2.97) 		82.7
(3.26) 		112.4
(4.43) 		95.2
(3.75) 		801.3
(31.57)
Average rainy days 10 9 9 10 9 8 5 5 7 9 12 12 105
Average snowy days 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 128.6 150.6 196.1 222.4 286.3 312.1 358.0 326.0 254.3 199.7 131.0 113.8 2,678.9
Source: National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (Croatia) [12]

Main sights

Main article: Cathedral of St. James, Šibenik
St. James's Cathedral.

The central church in Šibenik, the Cathedral of St. James, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Several successive architects built it completely in stone between 1431 and 1536,[2] both in Gothic and in Renaissance style. The interlocking stone slabs of the Cathedral's roof were damaged when the city was shelled by Yugoslav forces in 1991. The damage has since been repaired.

Fortifications in Šibenik

Main article: St. Nicholas Fortress

In the city of Šibenik there are four fortresses, each of whom provides spectacular view on the city, sea and nearby islands. Fortresses nowadays serve as a tourist sightseeing with each of them having unique offers to tourists.

  • St. Nicholas Fortress (Croatian: Tvrđava Sv. Nikole) is a fortress located at sea, at the entrance of Šibenik's port.
  • Tvrđava Sv. Mihovil
  • Tvrđava Sv. Ivan
  • Tvrđava Šubićevac

Natural heritage

Culture and events

The annual Šibenik International Children's Festival (Međunarodni Dječji Festival) takes place every summer. Since 2011 the Terraneo festival is held in August on a yearly basis on a former military area in Šibenik.[14] The composer Jakov Gotovac founded the city's "Philharmonia Society" in 1922. The composer Franz von Suppé was part of the city's cultural fabric, as he was a native of nearby Split. Each summer, a lot of concerts and events take place in the city (especially on the St. Michael Fortress).

Population

Historical population
of Šibenik
YearPop.±%
1961 44,440—    
1971 47,122+6.0%
1981 51,445+9.2%
1991 55,842+8.5%
2001 51,553−7.7%
2011 46,332−10.1%
Source: Naselja i stanovništvo Republike Hrvatske 1857–2001, DZS, Zagreb, 2005

In the 2011 Croatian census, Šibenik's total city population is 46,332 which makes it the 10th largest city in Croatia, with 34,302 in the urban settlement.[1] Of Šibenik's citizens, 94.02% were Croats.

The list of settlements is as follows:[1]

Utilities

The city of Šibenik was the first city in the world to receive a polyphase system of alternating current. The system supplied 340 street lights and some electrified houses in the town.[citation needed]

International relations

Šibenik is twinned with:

  • Šibenik harbor
    Šibenik harbor
  • Sunrise in Šibenik
    Sunrise in Šibenik
  • Central Square
    Central Square
  • Šibenik Cathedral
    Šibenik Cathedral
  • Cannons in Šibenik
    Cannons in Šibenik
  • Town Hall
    Town Hall
  • Šibenik City Library
    Šibenik City Library

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Šibenik". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Foster, Jane (2004). Footprint Croatia, Footprint Handbooks, 2nd ed. p. 218. ISBN 1-903471-79-6
  3. ^ a b c d e Oliver, Jeanne (2007). Croatia. Lonely Planet 4th ed. p. 182. ISBN 1-74104-475-8
  4. ^ Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (1843). The Penny cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Vol. 26. Great Britain: C. Knight. p. 236. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  5. ^ Giuseppe Praga, Franco Luxardo (1993). History of Dalmatia. Giardini. p. 91. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  6. ^ Robert Lambert Playfair (1881). Handbook to the Mediterranean. John Murray. p. 310. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  7. ^ Fine 2006, p. 115.
  8. ^ Tea Mayhew (2008). Dalmatia Between Ottoman and Venetian Rule: Contado Di Zara, 1645-1718. Viella. pp. 37–39. ISBN 978-88-8334-334-6.
  9. ^ Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm KLEIN, 1967
  10. ^ "Prvi osvijetljeni grad u svijetu je naš Šibenik". Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian). 16 July 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  11. ^ Climate Summary for Šibenik
  12. ^ "Monthly Climate Values". Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  13. ^ Skračiċ, Vladimir (2003). Kornat Islands. Zadar: Forum. ISBN 953-179-600-9.
  14. ^ "Terraneo Festival". Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  15. ^ "Civitanova Marche — Twin Towns". Civitanova Marche. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
  16. ^ "45 ans de jumelage : Histoire de cités Le jumelage à Voiron". Voiron Hôtel de Ville [Voiron council] (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 3 June 2013 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Sibenik : (Croatie) Ville jumelée avec Voiron". Voiron Hôtel de Ville [Voiron council] (in French). Retrieved 4 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

Further reading

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Šibenik.

Media related to Šibenik at Wikimedia Commons

43°44′06″N 15°53′26″E / 43.73500°N 15.89056°E / 43.73500; 15.89056

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Šibenik&oldid=714906186"