Double Rampart, Šibenik

In Šibenik, in Šibenik-Knin County, a double rampart descends from the Fortress of St Michael towards the west all the way to the shore by the former female Benedictine convent of St Catherine. It is interesting because it is a rare example of such construction, unique on the eastern Adriatic coast and in other Venetian territories.

Alongside the existing town wall, another was added in 1421, and the corridor between them served as the strada del soccorso, a relief road for the Venetian garrison in the Fortress of St Michael. For this reason the entrance gate was once also reached by sea. The part of the rampart beside the Gothic portal itself leans against the cliff, so its total length is 60 metres. Behind the upper portal, on the south, narrow, steep steps are carved into the rock leading to the western retaining wall of the fortress. At the beginning of the 19th century the space in front of the rampart was filled in and a winding staircase was built, which reduced the height of the entrance.

A protected cultural property, entered in the Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia under the code Z-2025. Construction dates from the 15th century.

Data: Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia (Ministry of Culture and Media), Open Licence; coordinates: DGU (centre of the settlement).