Good news for both those visiting and those who live in the historic city of Šibenik and its immediate surroundings, not to mention on the numerous nearby islands, as a brand new and much needed maritime connection is announced by Šibenik-Knin County.

Many residents of Croatia's inhabited islands complain of a lack of, or at the very least inadequate public transport links between the islands and the mainland. In summer, these vessels are typically packed with foreign tourists, and in the winter, many of the lines simply cease running until April or even May finally rolls around again.

Connections to the mainland and also between specific islands has been an issue for years, and it seems that some concrete moves are finally being made for various locations and islands up and down the Croatian coast.

As Morski writes on the 31st of August, 2019, the administration of Šibenik-Knin County in Dalmatia has informed local islanders, mainland residents and other potential passengers that as of the 31st of August, 2019, a new maritime connection has been put into full use in the local area.

Namely, public transport by sea for both residents and visitors will be performed between Žirje - Kaprije - Šibenik and vice versa by the ship operator G&V Line Iadera d.o.o. from Zadar. The Zadar-based operator has engaged a high-speed passenger ship named (HSC) "Antonija" to do the job, which boasts a fair capacity of 194 passengers. The vessel was constructed back in the year 2002.

Make sure to follow our dedicated travel and lifestyle pages for much more.

ZAGREB, August 29, 2019 - Slovenia's President Borut Pahor on Wednesday confirmed that he would attend the 6th edition of regular Trilateral Meetings of the presidents of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria that will be held in Šibenik next Wednesday, Slovenia's media have reported.

These regular trilateral meetings are aimed at strengthening relations and cooperation in a narrower regional format and the current theme of the meeting in Šibenik will be the future of the European Union particularly in light of the recent European election and other European and international topics, Pahor's office said in a press release.

Presidents Pahor, Alexander Van der Bellen and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović will put a special emphasis to the strengthening of friendly relations between neighbouring countries and Southeast Europe. In that regard they will discuss the continuation of European prospects for countries in the Western Balkans and about migrations, says the press release issued in Ljubljana.

More news about relations between Croatia and Slovenia can be found in the Politics section.

August 27, 2019 - The fourth edition of 'Light is Life' will be held in Šibenik on August 28, 2019.

Goran Rihel of HRTurizam writes that apart from knowing their date of birth, every Šibenik citizen should know and be proud of another date, namely August 28. It was this date, back in 1895, that marked the first day of the Jaruga Hydroelectric Power Plant being commissioned, the day when Šibenik, as one of the first cities in the world, received public lighting on alternate current. 

And it happened just two days after one of the most renowned AC power plants, Niagara Falls in the US, was built. However, the residents of Buffalo only started using its electricity a year later, while it came to Šibenik the same evening.

The Jaruga Hydroelectric Power Plant was also the first power plant in the world with a complete closed system for the production, transmission and distribution of AC power. The electricity was first used for public lighting, then for business purposes and production, and only later entered households and was widely accepted by the inhabitants of Šibenik. The credit for hydroelectric power plants with an AC system belongs to Nikola Tesla, who invented the AC system and transmission line, and was built at the initiative of Šibenik Mayor Ante Šupuk, his son Marko and engineer Vjekoslav Meichsner.

Thus, it would be foolish not to exploit this story and fact, not only through tourism, but through the entire branding of the city. Šibenik - a city of light, with its phenomenal fortresses and history, through the play of light and shadow, can be a stage and an art installation.

This is exactly the vision of Zoran Lučić Luca, the author of the project 'Light is Life', which, with the support of the Tourist Board of Šibenik and sponsors, is held for the fourth time in Šibenik on August 28. 

The light spectacle 'Light is Life' marks the day when, more than a hundred years ago, Šibenik, as one of the first cities in the world, received public lighting on alternating current, and the festival celebrates light as a source of life and electricity as a source of light.

In addition to the basic idea and commitment to 'Light is life', renewable energy sources and the rational use of energy potential, this year the theme is family and life in the old town, which is slowly dying out due to modern lifestyles and tourism trends. Thus, light installations are adapted to the theme, and the original motif of this year's poster was the original 1895 street lamp for public lighting.

This year, as part of the Šibenik event, the city will become an outdoor gallery through various light installations and events that will be spread throughout the city.

Rihelj writes that the “Light is Life” event can be a top event in Croatia and a direction for the future development of Šibenik - not only through tourism, but also through the overall economy.

As the world turns to renewables and ecology, Šibenik can and should rightly lead the story. With two UNESCO monuments, fortresses, Fraust Vrančić, the inventor of the parachute, and the story mentioned above, Šibenik has something to be proud of.

Rihelj adds that the event must receive much more attention and support in order to accelerate its development, since it is a manifestation that makes Šibenik globally recognizable and is certainly a motive for arrivals.

He says that this must be one of the "bright" directions for the future development and branding of the city, as a boutique destination for a unique cultural and historical tourism product for year-round tourism.

In addition, with all strategic preconditions, with strategic and smart development, Šibenik can stand by the side of Dubrovnik. 

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

August 20, 2019 - The Croatian Coral Center project on the island of Zlarin off Šibenik is worth over 24 million kuna.

The City of Šibenik has thus opened a public procurement procedure for the renovation of the Šare and Kažerma houses with an access road, as part of the Zlarin Croatian Coral Center project. The estimated value is HRK 8,193,109.40, excluding VAT, reports HRTurizam.

This investment will form the infrastructure backbone of the Croatian Coral Center on Zlarin, and will form the basis for the sustainable use of natural heritage and more efficient management of visitors to the island of Zlarin and the surrounding area, the City of Šibenik said.

Four floors of the Kažerma house with a total area of 452.98 m2 will be renovated, as well as three floors of the Šare house, with a total net area of 204.52 m2. Additionally, a courtyard between these houses of 87.50 m2 will serve as a presentation and educational center. A road will be reconstructed, which leads from the coast to the houses and physically connects them.

The project to establish the Croatian Coral Center on Zlarin involves the renovation of the Šare and Kažerma houses. The Kažerma house will function as a showroom with a permanent display that will include an ecosystem display and protected species of the Šibenik archipelago, the Zlarin coral tradition, and a library with scientific works and poetry by Vesna Parun. The entire permanent exhibition will be equipped with modern technologies such as augmented reality, kinetic figures, and other audiovisual attractions. The Šare house will be transformed into an educational research center with an amphitheater and accommodation units for researchers and scientists.

The project will also establish a system for monitoring the movement of visitors, carry out monitoring of coralligenous biocenosis, purchase electric vessels and vehicles for the transportation of visitors, create a set of unique souvenirs of the Croatian Coral Center Zlarin, conduct training on the functionality of the center for staff of the center and partners, develop educational and tourist programs, and develop the brand of the future center.

The project will also work on exploring the sea of Šibenik-Knin County with an emphasis on corals, as well as educating tourism staff about the importance of the sites themselves. The total value of the project is HRK 24,127,147.50.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

August 17, 2019 - Continuing our look at the Adriatic coast as it once was, a journey back in time over 50 years ago to gorgeous Sibenik 1968.

It is one of my favourite cities in Croatia, and one of its most underrated. 

Nestled between more fashionable Split and Zadar, each with their own airports, Sibenik is probably the less discovered gem of the bigger settlements on the Adriatic coast. 

That is slowly changing, however, as the City of Stone Fortresses asserts its cultural heritage. For here you will find not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Cathedral of St James and St Nicholas Fortress, the only place in Croatia with more than one world heritage site. 

How much has the city changed over the years? Judge for yourself by comparing Sibenik 2019 and this lovely snapshot of Sibenik 1968 in the video below. 

To learn more about this amazing city, check out the Total Croatia Sibenik in a Page guide. 

The City of Šibenik launched a new pilot project this year which connects the important points of interest in the Bay of Šibenik by boat.

Thus, the boat line, which hits the Mandalina peninsula, Šibenik waterfront, and Martinska beach, has been embraced by Šibenik locals and tourists and proved to be an excellent complement to the current tourist offer of the city, reports HRTurizam on August 8, 2019.

After the new boat line was tested and monitored, the timetable was altered so that from Tuesday, July 16, 2019, the first boat leaves at 8 am from the bus station, instead of the previous starting point, Mandalina. 

The City of Šibenik implemented this pilot project which is aimed at promoting the multimodality of passengers in the city area by connecting various points of interest in the Šibenik Bay and presenting transportation by boat as an effective and efficient complement to other forms of city traffic. After the first week, the new project proved to be a hit and provoked several positive reactions among the citizens, who, in addition to seeing the practical benefits, said that this boat tour also invokes a dose of emotion, reminding them of the old days when Martinska was their favorite beach.

The new boat tour kicks off at 8 am from the Bus Station towards Mandalina, then onto the Šibenik waterfront and finally to Martinska, and is followed by the same route back.

The 'Avalon' boat has a capacity of 40 seats, and guests can purchase a refreshing drink on board. Upon the completion of the pilot project, a report on the activities carried out will be prepared, which will determine the demand for this type of transport in the city. The project will be implemented until September 2, 2019.

"The boat line runs six times a day, Monday through Sunday, seven days a week according to a set schedule. A return ticket is only HRK 10 and can be purchased on board. Upon the completion of the pilot project, a report will be drawn on the activities carried out, which will determine the demand for this type of transport in the city area, and the project will be implemented until September 2, 2019,” said the Šibenik City Administration.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

The Šibenik police arrested a woman on Saturday afternoon who was directly linked to causing the fire in the Šibenik area over the weekend, reports Šibenski.portal on July 28, 2019.

"In connection with the fire that burned in the Šibenik Dubrava area on July 27, around 13:30, we inform you that the police have determined that this was caused deliberately.

Thanks to our commitment to work and the evidence gathered through the eyewitnesses, the Šibenik-Knin police narrowed the circle of suspects, and in the afternoon, they arrested a female directly linked to the fire," the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) said.

A criminal investigation has been carried out, and the Šibenik police will inform the public on the results of the investigation in a timely manner when all conditions are met.

Recall, on Saturday morning, Interior Minister Davor Božinović, together with Chief of Police Administration of Šibenik-Knin Ivica Kostanić, reported to the public that the police had excluded certain evidence and were working to bring the investigation to an end. 

"There is a possibility that the fire was started deliberately, and in that sense, we are conducting a criminal investigation and verifying whether there are any suspicious situations. We are checking certain facts and knowledge that we have to find the cause,” said Kostanić. 

Otherwise, Šibenski.portal informally found that it is the same woman who was suspected of starting seven fires in the Dubrava area from 18 July to 23 July two years ago. 

Chief firefighter Slavko Tucaković said on Saturday evening that the fire was under control and that fire rehabilitation has been carried out. It estimated that the intervention of firefighters lasting 28 hours will cost a minimum of 4 to  5 million kuna.

To read more about news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Just after 1:30 pm on Saturday, a fire broke out in the Dubrava area near Šibenik which at one point had 200 firefighters on the ground, up to six Canadairs, and forced motorway closures in the area. The strong southern wind (jugo) made it difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze, which burned over one kilometer. 

It was the first time the Croatian Army's ground forces have been engaged in this year's firefighting season and was named the biggest fire in Croatia this year. 

Despite the efforts of the forces on the ground and in the air, on Sunday morning, the fire is not yet under control. According to Šibenikski.portal, the fire has spread to Bilice. Volimir Milošević, commander of JVP Šibenik, two canadairs and two air tractors arrived early Sunday morning.

“It came to the hamlet of Slavica in Bilice. At one point, it moved to Grubišić, but we managed to put it out. Apart from Mihaljević and Jurasi, part of the fire spread to the Krtolin hill to the windmills,” says Milošević.

The good news is that the heroism of the firefighters managed to prevent damage to the facilities, but the fire has spread in several directions.

"With regard to the condition of the fire two hours ago, it is better now, but it is still bad. The Canadairs will work on the edges, however, the surface is large and the jugo wind creates problems because it sporadically sparks a new fire in certain locations," added the JVP Šibenik commander. 

The county firefighter commander Damir Dukić said that there was no classic evacuation, but that the police were with residents beside their homes while firefighters fought to save the buildings.

"The situation is much better than last night. It is a bit weaker,” Dukić continued. 

He too warned that the fire covered a large area and that it was hard to predict what would happen since it is burning through a thick pine forest.

"These are hills, they are tall pines, so we just have to be careful," Dukić said. He added that the motorway was open for all traffic after the fire forced road closures between Pirovac and Vrpolje on Saturday.

About 230 people worked to fight the fire overnight, and the firefighting teams and Croatian Army were joined by their Zadar associates.

For the latest updates on Croatia's roads, check the HAK website. 

Index.hr reported that four firefighters were injured in the blaze, according to Chief Fireman Slavko Tucaković, who described the situation as "quite difficult".

"We had two injured firefighters yesterday - one had a knee injury and another inhaled smoke. They were transported to the hospital and they are well," he said. Overnight, another two firefighters were injured. One suffered from a hand injury, and the other from inhaling smoke.

Tucaković confirmed that they all received help and are well. 

Two Canadairs and air tractors resumed work since the early hours of the morning, and overnight there were 50 members of the Croatian Army troop forces engaged who were sent pn Saturday from the barracks in Benkovac, which will replace 52 soldiers from the barracks Knin and Sinj. On Saturday, air forces with a total of seven planes continued for more than six hours to put out the fires in Šibenik-Knin county, totaling more than 30 hours and about 1200 tons of water, MORH said. 

Just before 9 am Sunday morning, rain fell in the Šibenik area, and around 9:18 am, Zagreb firefighters left to help fight the Šibenik blaze. 

9:27 am Sunday morning: ”We are hoping for an hour-long heavy rainfall that could extinguish this fire, otherwise we will have to stay on the ground. Anyway, people are on the ground no matter what until everything is completely out,” said the Commander of the Public Fire Brigade of Šibenik, Volimir Milošević. The air forces returned to their bases in Split and Zadar due to the weather.

Chief firefighter Slavko Tucaković said at 10 am on Sunday that the situation on the ground is now stable.

"We maybe already could have declared the fire localized, and now, in relation to what it was, everything is under control. With the tremendous efforts of firefighters, army, and citizens, with a great joint effort, we have come to the conclusion, and I would certainly commend the county firefighter Darko Dukić who coordinated this great action,” said commander Slavko Tucaković.

Tucaković visited the scene this morning with Interior Minister Davor Božinović, who also expressed his satisfaction with the work of all the agencies, as well as the local self-government units and the citizens who contributed in the fight. 

"Although the situation was already under control, the heavy rain that came this morning was just what we needed, so we stopped the help from the interior because there is no need for it. Now we are actually slowly releasing people and reorganizing the forces on the ground,” Tucaković explained.

To read more about news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

As SibenikIN writes on the 26th of July, 2019, with this bench, the desire is to encourage people to think about the importance of breastfeeding and the positive influence it has not only bonding but on child development, the bench's innovative and clearly thoughtful designers say from Šibenik.

Šibenik's brand new specialist benches for mothers and babies are located near the children's playground along the popular walkway of the Sveti Ante channel.

The bench has been placed and set up in the organisation of the Public Institution for the management of protected areas and other protected parts of the nature of Šibenik-Knin County, and is the work of Šibenik's Idearium, namely by designers Franka Brananović and Antonio Šunjerga, who is otherwise the creator of the Ok bench which was placed on the grass at the foot of the cathedral, as well as in several other locations.

The design of the ''Maa Bench'' was conceived as an outdoor armchair that mothers can use to breastfeed or change their babies in peace, away from any judgement or prying eyes. The surface for changing nappies is large enough to hold both the baby and any equipment, and the awnings have hooks on them in order for users to be able to hang up their various bags.

''When designing the bench we were primarily concerned with safety and functionality, as well as the comfort of both the children and adults when using them. Breastfeeding and nappy changes can take place unhindered and independent of each other. A dynamic and playful shape has been achieved by using compact materials in a combination of two colours,'' say the talented designers from Šibenik.

This is another top quality product from Šibenik's Idearium, which, apart from aesthetics, combines the functionality and feel of the product for its end users excellently, and the design fits perfectly into the surrounding nature of the promenade and will certainly induce positive reactions from mothers, babies, and from those simply passing by.

Follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

Just after 1:30 pm on Saturday, a fire broke out in the Dubrava area near Šibenik which forced 38 firefighters to the ground assisted by the Air Force, said the Fire Department of the Šibenik-Knin County. Shortly after, a second fire broke out which spread to the motorway, reports Index.hr and T.portal.hr on July 27, 2019.

The fire brigade commanded Croatian Roads (HAC) close the motorway, which happened just after 4 pm. The highway was first closed in both directions between the junctions of Šibenik and Vrpolje, and around 5 pm, a larger part of the motorway was closed, from Skradin to Vrpolje.

According to the latest information from Šibenik, more than 120 firefighters, six Canadairs and three air tractors are at the scene. Around 6 pm, the fire reached the toll booths and approached homes. The strong southern wind (jugo) is giving firefighters difficulty containing the fire. 

As you can imagine, there is plenty of traffic. Along the entire Adriatic highway in Šibenik area, a kilometer-long column of cars has formed thanks to the motorway closure. 

Around 6:45 pm, the border forces of the Croatian Army arrived at the scene, and the entire Civil Protection System is on its feet.

According to Šibenski.portal, the fire reached Mihaljević and is over one hundred meters long, maybe a kilometer, and cannot be controlled at this time.

“The situation is such that we have 85 firefighters on the ground, 25 soldiers, we have raised the State Intervention Unit Split, and the police are very helpful in the traffic situation since the Šibenik-Drniš road is closed and since 6:27 pm the highway opened. The situation is such that the houses are not endangered, that is, at one point, some fifty houses were endangered north of the Garden Center in Dubrava. The fire is not under control, but the state of the houses is under control. Three Canadians, three air tractors, 35 vehicles. The firefighters are the alpha and omega of the fire, and we, from the Civil Protection Council, are involved as needed and in a situation where the fire would threaten the houses and when evacuation would be needed. Then we are legally responsible for logistics in terms of accommodation, transportation, and nutrition. All this is not necessary at present, but we are ready and the situation is changing rapidly,” says Danijel Mileta, the Deputy Mayor of Šibenik and the president of the Civil Protection Director.

DVD Brodarica-Krapanj Facebook

Šibenski.portal reported at 7:33 pm that the fire near the fast road Šibenik-Drniš broke out again. Namely, the fire brigade had been redirected to fighting the critical points near homes and after that part of the fire was partially under control, they returned to the location where the fire erupted again.

Šibenski.portal reported that the fire in southern Dubrava is the biggest fire this year, where seven firefighting planes from PP NOS OSRH and 26 members of Croatian army have been engaged, and in addition to strength in the air, the fire will also be fought by an unmanned Orbiter aircraft.

This is also the first time the Croatian Army's ground forces have been engaged in this year's firefighting season, according to the Ministry of Defense (MORH).

"We are giving it our all, but the fire on the front line is big. It is difficult to approach, and the wind makes its own challenges. There is a lot of smoke, and beside it is a pine forest that is quite dense. We will stay in the dark and hope to stop the fire,” said Colonel Vlahović.

For the latest updates on Croatia's roads, check the HAK website. 

More soon…

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