Sibenik - Krka National Park, Croatia
We arrived at the small port town of Sibenik shortly after 7am. Early risers went to visit the medieval architectural masterpiece of St.Jacob's Cathedral which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coolness of the early morning was just perfect for the short stroll which brought us along the waterfront. Dating to the fourteenth century AD, the quality of the Cathedral's carving and sculpture is magnificent as was the rich array of paintings and other representational art in its interior. We explored the narrow medieval laneways and perused a small open-air antique market before returning to the ship. In common with most of the other coastal towns in Croatia, Sibernik has a checkered history. First settled by the Illyrians in the tenth century BC, it became an important colony for the Greeks six hundred years later who were later supplanted by the Romans in the first century BC. Because of it's strategic and economic importance, the town was enclosed by a stout defensive wall in the medieval period when it was dominated by the Venetians.
Shortly after arriving back at the ship, we departed for our visit to the Krka National Park, one of seven such reserves in Croatia. On our way, we traversed a countryside of small farm holdings and vineyards. The park is renowned for its large number of very impressive waterfalls and deep channels which have been cut through the local limestone by the Krka River. One of the highlights was the visit to the small ethnographic museum which includes a working water mill at Stradinski Buk. The entire area abounds in wildlife and there were a number of sightings of several species of amphibian. We spent our time here walking through the rich woodlands on the purpose built timber walkways which run alongside the numerous streams and rivulets. Early in the afternoon many of us went on the short scenic boat ride to Visovac Island on which is located an interesting Franciscan monastery which dates to the fifteenth century. The surrounding scenery is spectacular.
Late afternoon we arrived back on the ship and departed for Venice, our next port of call.
We arrived at the small port town of Sibenik shortly after 7am. Early risers went to visit the medieval architectural masterpiece of St.Jacob's Cathedral which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coolness of the early morning was just perfect for the short stroll which brought us along the waterfront. Dating to the fourteenth century AD, the quality of the Cathedral's carving and sculpture is magnificent as was the rich array of paintings and other representational art in its interior. We explored the narrow medieval laneways and perused a small open-air antique market before returning to the ship. In common with most of the other coastal towns in Croatia, Sibernik has a checkered history. First settled by the Illyrians in the tenth century BC, it became an important colony for the Greeks six hundred years later who were later supplanted by the Romans in the first century BC. Because of it's strategic and economic importance, the town was enclosed by a stout defensive wall in the medieval period when it was dominated by the Venetians.
Shortly after arriving back at the ship, we departed for our visit to the Krka National Park, one of seven such reserves in Croatia. On our way, we traversed a countryside of small farm holdings and vineyards. The park is renowned for its large number of very impressive waterfalls and deep channels which have been cut through the local limestone by the Krka River. One of the highlights was the visit to the small ethnographic museum which includes a working water mill at Stradinski Buk. The entire area abounds in wildlife and there were a number of sightings of several species of amphibian. We spent our time here walking through the rich woodlands on the purpose built timber walkways which run alongside the numerous streams and rivulets. Early in the afternoon many of us went on the short scenic boat ride to Visovac Island on which is located an interesting Franciscan monastery which dates to the fifteenth century. The surrounding scenery is spectacular.
Late afternoon we arrived back on the ship and departed for Venice, our next port of call.
