The Region is located in the northern Dalmatian area where the river Krka flows from the Dinara to the Adriatic Sea, as well as from Pirovac to Rogoznica and makes up a unique political-economical and geographical trading region. The coastal area is distinguished by the indented coast of the shore and the picturesque archipelago consisting of 242 islands, islets and reefs, of which only 6 are populated (Murter, Kaprije, Žirije, Prvić, Zlarin (the island of corals) and Krapanj (the island of sponges). The most popular group of islands is the Kornati, which is located in the south-western part of the county, consisting of 148 islands, islets and cliffs, which because of its natural splendour, cultural-historical inheritance and its unique beauty was pronounced a national park in 1980.

The river Krka (75 km) has great significance for the counties total economy, especially in tourism. Krka is on phenomenal rocky lime ground, which has unique cascades and canyons that have created miraculous formations of tough barriers. Unique tourist attractions include the SKRADINSKI BUK waterfall, the Visovac Lake and the little island of Visovac on which the Franciscan monastery St. Archangel is located, along with the restored mills. A section of the river Krka, from Knin to Skradin was pronounced a national park in 1985 due to its exceptional natural, scientific and cultural / historic value.

The coastal and offshore area of this region is under the influence of Mediterranean climate (hot and dry summers, mild and humid winters) with a mid-year temperature of 15.7˚C and average daily insolation of seven hours with 886 litres of precipitation per m2 a year.

You can visit
The town of ŠIBENIK with the cathedral of St. Jakov which is the masterpiece of the most popular architect and sculptor of the transitive Gothic-Renaissance style, Juraj Dalmatinac. The cathedral together with the well known tourist centre VODICE; the heart of the old town, can also be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is the perfect place for your vacation. PRIMOŠTEN is a truly authentic Dalamtian village with its famous wine BABIĆ, tourist resorts and fishermen’s villages of Rogoznica and Tribunj on the islands of Murter Betina, Tisno and Jezera, where you can book excursions to KORNATI NP, or enjoy our summer events in the Pirovac town of SKRADIN, which is one of the oldest towns in Europe from where you can start the adventure to the National park of Krka as well as the traditional old Croatian towns of Knin and Drniš.

FACTS ABOUT THE REGION
The olive growing and viticulture has had a leading role in the whole area of Šibenik for centuries, as well as in the surrounding settlements such as Vodice and the island of Murter. On the other hand, Primošten has, since its beginning, held the most picturesque and the richest vineyards in the whole area, which speaks volumes about the human endeavours and struggles with the poor soil. In 2009 the vineyards were presented as the UNESCO candidate to join the register of World Cultural Heritage Sites, with a picture featuring Primošten’s vineyards permanently exhibited in the main building of the UN in New York, representing human endeavours through the centuries of struggle with the Dalmatian stone. Interestingly the Ethno centres such as Jurlinovi Dvori or Pakovo Selo cherish their history, tradition and original way of life.

The settlement of Betina on the island of Murter is well known for the building of wooden ships, due to Murter’s fishing tradition. The islet of Krapanj – the lowest and the smallest inhabited island on the Adriatic coast is known for its long sponge fishing tradition, the near by island of Zlarin for its coral fishing tradition and the islands of Prvić, Zlarin and Krapanj are known as the islands of innovation thanks to Faust Vrančić – inventor of the first usable parachute, who spent much of his childhood on the islands, and was buried in Prvić. The construction of the Memorial park dedicated to this great Croat, also known as the “Croatian Leonardo da Vinci” is currently under construction. Only a few meters away from his grave, it is possible to visit the exhibition of the handmade models of his inventions described and represented in Vrančić’s book “Macchinae novae”.

CHARACTER OF THE OF THE ŠIBENIK’S AREA
Day and night you can enjoy many different types of events in Šibenik: The International Children’s Festival, The International Medieval Fair in Šibenik where you can see traditional costumes and authentic artefacts from the regions past. Enjoy ‘a cappella’ singing (“klapa” evenings) and Dalmatian ‘chanson’ evenings, the antique fair and the sport-entertainment events “Bodulska pripetavanja” (“The quarrels of the islands’ inhabitants”). All this may be accompanied by organized programs, performances, plays and full whole days of entertainment across the Šibenik’s Riviera.

ŠIBENIK’S GASTRONOMY
…is typically DALMATIAN, featuring a full range of fresh aromatic herbs and the regions own olive oil making up the base for every meal. The so called “sir iz mišine” (sheep cheese) is an authentic product made following the traditional method of milk fermentation, that isn’t made before maturation, but it is formed in the natural shape of a ball, maturing in lambskin and delivered to the market place intact to preserve the strong, refined and unforgettable aroma and flavour. Best served with the local bread made under ‘peka’ (like a Dutch oven placed in a clay, wood fired oven) and accompanied by aromatic red wine.

The Region of Šibenik is also well-known for the famous red wine Babić produced from Primošten’s authentic red-grapes, representing one of the Croatian highest quality red wines.
Another gastronomic souvenir of the Šibenik’s area is the internationally renowned smoked ham (PRŠUT) of Drniš., awarded many times for its quality and method of preparation.

Lamb is a speciality of the whole Croatian coastal and island regions. It is made under “peka” or grilled, typically served together with boiled vegetables and potatoes. Among seafood specialities the tuna fish takes a special place; grilled fresh soft meat or made as “carpaccio”, it goes perfectly with the local bread and white wines. Among other seafood treats you can enjoy tasty specialities made of shellfish, especially the mussels, and scampi, as well as fresh calamari and octopus, that is cooked on a “buzara”, “brudet”, grilled or under “peka”. (Dutch clay, wood fired oven).

The octopus salad or octopus under “peka” with potatoes is a perfect meal combining taste, flavour, aroma and looks. All the tasty seafood goes perfectly with the local white wine, bread and fresh ‘garden grown’ salads.

There are plenty other specialities of the Šibenik’s area on offer and it’s up to you to immerse yourself. All your senses will revel in the Mediterranean spirit of Šibenik and the surrounding region. From craft to culture, eateries to entertainment, exhibitions to the people and breathtaking natural beauty – with more than its fair share of UNESCO rated locations, come and discover the REAL DALMATIA.