Šibenik’s St Nicholas’ Fortress to be connected to mainland

St. Nicholas Fortress

A significant restoration project has begun on part of the outer façade of Šibenik’s iconic St Nicholas’ Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Croatia’s most striking maritime landmarks.

Around 200 square metres of the fortress’s façade are currently covered in scaffolding as experts focus on the most vulnerable sections.

Damaged bricks and stone are being replaced, while elements that can be preserved are being carefully reinforced.

The current phase of works is valued at nearly €300,000 and is considered essential for the long-planned project to connect the fortress to the mainland.

For now, the fortress remains accessible only by sea.

The future access route is envisioned as a pedestrian walkway, and this restoration forms the necessary groundwork.

“The façade above the planned footbridge is now being repaired to allow for land access in the future,” Anita Babačić Ajduk, director of the Šibenik-Knin County Public Institution Nature, told HRT.

According to supervising engineer Ivan Bilota, between 40 and 50 per cent of the material in this section will need full replacement.

Maintaining authenticity is central to the restoration, and special bricks made specifically for St Nicholas’ have been commissioned from Italy, following detailed chemical analysis to replicate the original 16th-century model.

(Photo credit: Carsten Steger/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The works are jointly funded by the Ministry of Culture and Media and the public institution that manages the fortress, which has invested revenues from ticket sales into the project.

Standing guard over Šibenik since the 16th century, the fortress has never been attacked, yet time and the sea have taken their toll.

A full restoration of the sea-emerging walls still lies ahead, with costs estimated at more than €20 million.

The goal is to preserve the structure in its most authentic form, while all accompanying visitor facilities will be located on the nearby islet of Školjić. Plans include an information point, ticket office, facilities and a small exhibition area.

From April to October, visitors are transported to the fortress by the managing institution. This year, around 10,000 tourists listened keenly to stories of the fortress’s past – and its ambitious future.