Dubrovnik and Dalmacija travel guide

Gothic Portal
The sculptures of
various saints sweep
around the arch of the
main west door, although
many of these figures
have lost a limb or been
decapitated down the
years. Constructed during
the first phase of building
(1433–41), this elegant
portal is one of the oldest
parts of the cathedral.
Dome
Nikola Firentinac’s
cupola (right), built
around an octagonal
drum, is guarded by
statues of St Michael,
St Martin and St James.
Parts of today’s
structure are recent
reconstructions, the
original sustaining
damage from Serb
shells in the 1990s.
Vaulted Roof
Like the rest of the
building, the roof was
constructed using
blocks of carefully
measured stone, the
individual pieces slotting
together perfectly. It is
widely regarded as a
tribute to the great
technical skill of the
stonecutters involved.
Interior
This triple-aisled space
is divided up by columns,
topped by pointed arches.
Notable features include
the four massive pillars
supporting the cupola, the
tombs of Šibenik’s bishops
and the altars of the Three
Kings and the Holy Cross.
Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast
Presbytery
Both architects –
Dalmatinac and Firentinac
– contributed to the
presbytery’s finely carved
stone stalls (above). Over
them are further highly
detailed, sculpted reliefs.
Baptistry
The small bapistry, at
the end of the right aisle,
houses a fine baptismal
font supported by three
putti (right). A quartet of
stone scallop shells leads
up to the carved roof.
Transept
You may feel less
than comfortable about
walking under the
transept after you learn
that it was laced together
without using mortar.
Again, this is a testimony
to the talent and prowess
of the local stonemasons.
Šibenik Cathedral
Orientation
Šibenik’s cathedral is at
the heart of the old
town, which tumbles
downhill from the main
street, Kralja Zvonimira,
to the north, toward the
Adriatic, to the south. It
is an easy walk west
along the waterfront
from the bus station or
a short taxi ride from
the train station. There
is limited car parking on
Obala Franje Tumana,
the waterfront street just
south of the city walls;
from Kralja Zvonimira
turn onto Vladimira
Nazora, then take the
third street on the right.
For more Dalmatian places of worship See pp38–9
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