The oldest of all the fortresses is St. Michael's, located on a 70-meter-high cliff overlooking the historic center. From the very beginning, along with the city wall system, it protected the city from domestic and foreign enemies who attacked the medieval commune. With the advent of firearms and the growing Ottoman threat in the 17th century, the citizens of Šibenik were forced to build two more fortresses on the hills overlooking the city: St. John's and Barone.

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Over time, the fortresses lost their original functions, and the time came for their repurposing and revitalization. St. Michael's Fortress has become arguably the most beautiful open-air concert stage, hosting world-renowned musical acts, while Barone serves as a viewpoint with dining options and the opportunity to experience city history through virtual reality, occasionally hosting smaller concerts and an open-air cinema. The highest of them all, St. John's Fortress, consists of a northern and southern part, the Pincers and the Star, and its revitalization has provided Šibenik with a modern educational campus. They are managed by a public institution aptly named Fortress of Culture.

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Each fortress offers a unique view of the city, the harbor, the mouth of the Krka River, and beyond to the Šibenik archipelago, so all four are well worth visiting, regardless of the order—we highly recommend it.