Tvrđava sv. Mihovila

About the museum

The Fortress of St Michael (Tvrđava sv. Mihovila) was built on a high, steep rock above the old part of Šibenik, from where the St Anthony Channel (Kanal svetog Ante), the bay and the mouth of the Krka can be seen. It is considered the first fortress of Šibenik, and its ramparts were the starting point of the town walls that protected the town for centuries. St Michael has long been the heavenly patron of Šibenik.

The town is first mentioned in 1066. After it came under Venetian rule in 1412, most of the buildings that stand today were built in the early 15th century. Explosions in 1663 and 1752 severely damaged the fortress, and it was never fully restored. The Austrian army carried out the last major works in 1832, and once it no longer served the military, the people of Šibenik called it the Fortress of St Anne (tvrđava svete Ane).

It was restored in 2014, when a stage and an auditorium with 1,077 seats were built inside the walls. Today it is a well-known venue for evening events and concerts. Visitors can view the exhibition “Povijest pozornice” (History of the Stage) and the short exhibition “Abeceda tvrđave” (The ABC of the Fortress). A lift leads to the underground level with the information desk and cisterns, and to the upper level with the stage.

Highlights

• Summer stage with an auditorium of 1,077 seats
• Exhibition “Povijest pozornice” (History of the Stage) inside the fortress
• Short exhibition “Abeceda tvrđave” on Šibenik's main fortresses
• View of the old town, the St Anthony Channel and the mouth of the Krka
• Lift to the underground level with cisterns and to the upper level

Permanent exhibitions

• Povijest pozornice – The exhibition inside the fortress explains why Šibenik's oldest fortress has an open-air stage; in the concert season that space serves as the backdrop of the stage.
• Abeceda tvrđave – A short information exhibition on Šibenik's main fortresses; further information is available at the information desk.

Operated by

Javna ustanova u kulturi Tvrđava kulture Šibenik

Admission & discounts

From 26 March to 31 October: adults €11.50, pupils and students €7.50, family €28. From 1 November to 28 February: adults €10, pupils and students €6.50, family €23. Children up to 7 years and ICOM members enter free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access from the square below the fortress via the access road from the Fire Station (Vatrogasni dom). The lift serves the underground level (information desk and cisterns) and the upper level (stage).

Kids & families

Children up to 7 years enter free of charge, and the family ticket applies to parents or guardians and children up to 18 years.

Getting there & parking

There are two entrances: the north entrance (from the Fire Station and Ana Rukavina Park, Perivoj Ane Rukavine) and the south entrance (from the St Anne cemetery). In July and August the north entrance is recommended because of smaller crowds.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The souvenir shop next to the information desk sells souvenirs by local designers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit