PHOTO: FOTO IZ ZRAKA, ŠIBENIK TB
St. Nicholas Fortress

The Venetian Defence System

St. Nicholas Fortress, one of the newest additions to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as an integral part of the 15th to 17th century Venetian Defence System, was constructed during the 16th century and located at the entrance to St. Anthony's Channel. Building of the fort was an important undertaking not only for the citizens of Šibenik but also for those who ruled it, as it was built in order to protect the town from Turkish attacks from the sea. The fortress erected at the entrance to the narrow mile long channel became the important strategic defensive structure that contributed to the impregnability of Šibenik Port and the town of Šibenik itself. The only entrance into Šibenik Bay was through the channel, which made possible the effective defence and complete control of the entry of ships.

The Fortress of Alla Moderna

In construction of St. Nicholas Fortress the military aspects were given more importance than the ornamental ones, however the fortress is still the typical Venetian creation of "alla moderna", an extraordinary example of the isolated defence work risen in the sea. The fortress was built after the plans of Venetian military architect Michele Sanmicheli, as white stone was used for building the lower parts of the fort and red stone for the upper parts. St. Nicholas Fortress until today remains one of the strongest and the most fascinating maritime fortifications built along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

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