Sibenik Croatia

Sibenik is an historic town in Croatia which is in central Dalmatia near where the rive Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. The cathedral of Sibenik is an architectural masterpiece on the dalamatian coast. It does not have greek or roman origins as Sibenik is the oldest Croatian town on the eastern seaside of the Adriatic. The construction of St Jacob's Cathedral in the Croatian town of Sibenik began in 1431. The strategically placed port brought wealth from the sea. The dwellers of Sibenik have a confident air about them and look forward to the future. The cathedral has carvings of people from the time of the building of the cathedral. There is a rebuilding project to bring the cathedral of Sibenik back into its former glory. Sibenik is counted among one of the cultural gems of Dalmatia. The buildings have a new construction technique where there is no mortar used on the stones to hold them together. When the castle of St Michael was excavated they found out that the town of Sibenik was inhabited way before the arrival of the Croatian people.

Science and Architecture at the time were undergoing changes and new ideas. Medieval Sibenik was created in the style of the Gothic type of architecture that was brought to the area by Juri Dalmatinac, a master builder and architect from Italy. The fort of Saint Nicholas was constructed in the sixteenth century. The cupola of Sibenik cathedral was built entirely from stone and is free floating. The design was by Nicholas the florentine. The carvings in the inside portray the winds and is an expression of faith. The carving of christ on the cross dates from the fifteenth century and is an exquisite work of art. The octagonal towers command the skyline of Sibenik and give the buildings a presence and majesty. The construction technique of the cupola was only discovered after cleaning up war damage on the Sibenik cathedral. The building of the Sibenik cathedral of Saint Jacob was started in the Gothic style from Venice and was finished in the style of the Renaissance inspired by Toscano.

The baptistry in the Cathedral of Sibenik is a jewel combining gothic and renaissance styles. Niches in the shape of shells widen the area symbolically and god the father looks down on the baptism font. Thus the baptism of jesus by john the baptist is recreated. There is a sense of the sacred throughout the cathedral. During pilgrimages there is a procession through the town of Sibenik. Stone and light give the cathedral depth and majesty. The style of architecture in the cathedral of Sibenik not only expressed a new perception of humanity, but also new achievements in technology and science. The Cathedral of Saint Jacob is on the UNESCO world heritage list.

When the Croats were fighting for independence from Yugoslavia, Sibenik was heavily attacked and defended. The war damaged several buildings and monuments, mainly the cupola of the cathedral and the famous theater. Every summer in Sibenik there is an international Children's Festival. This festival is an event that is well known in Croatia as well as in the whole world.

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