St Michael's Fortress

St Michael's stands on the rock directly above Sibenik's old town, the oldest of the town's four fortresses, recorded from the medieval period and rebuilt repeatedly - it was badly damaged in 1663 when lightning hit the powder magazine. It stood ruined for a long time and was restored between 2012 and 2014, with an open-air stage and seating for around a thousand built inside the walls, so it now works as a summer venue with the town, the channel and the islands below the audience. The walls and terraces are open through the day outside performances, and the view over the roofs to St James's cathedral is the reason most people climb.

Highlights

• The oldest of Sibenik's fortresses - on the rock above the old town.
• A powder magazine explosion in 1663 - the damage that ruined it.
• A stage for about a thousand - built inside the walls by 2014.
• The cathedral roof below - the view over the old town and channel.

When to go

April to October, with the concert season in summer. Two hours.

Good to know

The climb from the old town is steep and stepped, and hot in summer. The fortress closes to daytime visitors on performance days. There is little shade on the walls. Concert tickets are separate.

Nearby

St James's cathedral is below; Barone fortress is on the next hill.

Key facts