Institution

Public Institution Nature of the Šibenik-Knin County

The Šibenik-Knin County occupies the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coastline, its most indented section with a large number of islands, while reaching deep into the mainland and the Dalmatian hinterland called Zagora, all the way to Dinara Mountain with the highest peak in the Republic of Croatia and with the sources of two rivers at its foot as well. It is connected with the Split-Dalmatia County and the Zadar County in the west by the springs of the Cetina River and the Kornati Islands respectively. The Krka River flows through the central part of the Šibenik-Knin County, leaving a unique imprint upon the scenery of this area. From its source beneath the playful Topoljski buk – waterfall of the Krčić River, the Krka River meanders vigorously across its upper course, through karst fields, plateaux and canyons. Across Prukljan Lake and its lower course, all the way to the city of Šibenik and then following the St Anthony’s Channel, it flows calmly, finding its way to the sea. There is St Nicholas’ Fortress, an outstanding monument under the UNESCO protection, to see it out of the channel.

The great natural wealth and cultural heritage of the Šibenik-Knin County require particular protection and conservation measures. Apart from the Krka and Kornati National Parks and Vrana Lake Nature Park, all other areas of great natural importance are also protected by national legislation.

In the category of significant landscape in the Šibenik-Knin County as many as six sites, there is one nature monument and nearly sixty sites of the ecological network Natura 2000 are protected. There is also St Nicholas’ Fortress, a cultural and historical monument under the UNESCO protection, which is located within the significant landscape Channel – Port in Šibenik, along with its buffer zone. These areas boasting diversified and unique flora and fauna as well as exceptional geomorphological heritage are managed by the Public Institution Nature of the Šibenik-Knin County, which was established in 2007. The primary objective of the institution is to protect, maintain and preserve the authenticity of the natural environment and the sustainable use of natural and cultural goods at the sites it manages, thereby benefiting local residents, visitors and future generations.