Barone Fortress

Barone Fortress, locally known as Tvrđava Barone, lies in the town of Šibenik, in the county of Šibenik-Knin, in Croatia.

For centuries before the construction of Barone Fortress, the town of Šibenik was protected by city walls and St. Michael’s Fortress. However, by the 17th century, these defenses had become outdated and vulnerable. At that time, Šibenik was under Venetian rule. When the Cretan War erupted in 1645 between Venice and the Ottoman Empire, the Venetians decided the town needed better protection.

To strengthen its defenses from higher ground, two new fortresses were built in 1646: St. John’s Fortress and, slightly closer to the town, a redoubt on Vidakovac Hill.

The redoubt was named after Baron Christoph Martin von Degenfeld, a German officer serving Venice, who led its construction and later commanded its defense. In October 1646, the newly built redoubt successfully repelled an Ottoman attack. A major siege followed in the summer of 1647, with the redoubt serving as part of Šibenik’s northern defense line. The Ottomans withdrew after nearly a month.

The redoubt was reinforced in the 1650s. In 1659, it was officially upgraded to fortress status by Venetian governor Antonio Bernardo, who rebuilt the northern wall in the style of other major fortifications. Subsequent plans show cannon embrasures and military buildings within the lower part of the fortress.

Barone Fortress lost its military role by the late 17th century. It was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1902, the city of Šibenik purchased the site. It was renamed Subicevac and served various civilian purposes throughout the 20th century, including as a restaurant, weather station, and disco club. A major restoration was carried out between 2014 and 2016.

Today, the fortress is open to visitors, featuring historical exhibits, digital displays, and stunning panoramic views of the town and coast. A nice small fort.

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