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Šibenik, the oldest autochthonous
Croatian town on the Adriatic is situated in the best
protected natural port in the centre of the eastern
coast of the Adriatic, the ancient Mare Adriaticum,
on the mouth of beautiful river Krka, on the foundations
of rich Croatian history, probably where some of the
first Croatian settlers saw the blue sea, moody and
beautiful, which protected and sheltered, fed and guarded
them for centuries.
Today, Šibenik is the capital, cultural
and educational, administrative and economic centre
of the county of Šibenik and Knin with the population
of 51 553 inhabitants (2001).
The history of Šibenik
Šibenik was first mentioned in a document written by king Petar Krešimir IV who lived in the fortified citadel Sv. Mihovil. Venetians held Šibenik from 1116 - 24 and from 1125 - 33. Hungarian-Croatian king Stjepan IV granted it autonomy in 1167. After a short period of Byzantine rule to 1180, Croatian kings, Venetia, Bosnian king Stjepan Tvrtko and duke Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić alternately ruled the town. It was again under Venetian rule from 1412-1797. Since then to 1918, except for the period of French occupation, it is, together with the rest of Dalmatia, under Austrian rule. At the end of the First World War it was occupied by Italy but it was returned to the mother country under provisions of Rapal Agreement in 1920.
Šibenik is the birthplace of humanist Josip Šižgorić (1420-1509), Antun Vrančić (1504-1573) and Faust Vrančić (1551-1617).
Communications
The town of Šibenik has an extremely important position in transportation; good connections enable direct communications. The backbone is The Adriatic Highway with branching roads to Drniš (33 km) and Knin (55 km) and further on to the inland of Croatia.
It is an important road and railway to Zagreb and Split. Air traffic is conducted via airport “Split” in the town of Kaštela (45 km) and airport Zemunik (50 km from Šibenik).
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For already forty years, International Children’s Festival presents an undeniable particularity of Croatian culture and a symbol of the town of Šibenik. This festival is a Croatian cultural manifestation, which is unique and renowned worldwide.
This festival is internationally recognized for many reasons, firstly for its quality of organization and its artistic value. It is held in the second half of August.
Concerts of classical music, plays, opera and various pop concerts take place in July and August on open stages of fortresses and squares in Šibenik.
Open all year. It has occasional and standing exhibitions. It is situated in former Kneževa palača next to Sv. Jakov (St. Jacob) cathedral. 
The gallery exhibits the works of modern Croatian artists. It also occupies the Studio in Petar Nakić Street. It is open throughout the year and it is located in Krsto Stošić Street.
