The fortress was named after the small church of St. John the Baptist that stood on the hill before the fortress was built. It covers nearly 19,000 square meters and consists of two parts: the Star and the Pincers.

The Star is the fortified southern part of the fortress, which owes its star-shaped design to the most advanced 17th-century fortification techniques developed in response to the use of artillery in warfare, while the Pincers serve as the outer fortification to the north.

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The story of the creation of St. John's Fortress, as well as the nearby smaller Barone Fortress, is a story of the unity of the citizens of Šibenik. Faced with their greatest threat, they used their own resources and joined forces to build the fortress in just 58 days on a site that had been a weak point in their defenses. Citizens of Šibenik of all genders, ages, and social classes participated wholeheartedly in the construction, united in the defense of their city and their lives. Their pride in their new fortress was such that they affectionately nicknamed it the "White Knight." Just before the expected arrival of the Ottomans in 1646, the fortress was ready and repelled a minor attack. The following year, in 1647, it withstood a month-long siege by several thousand Ottoman soldiers led by the Bosnian Pasha Tekelija, who intended to conquer Šibenik as a strategic point to eventually capture the entire eastern Adriatic coast. Thanks to this fortress and the courage of its inhabitants, Šibenik never became part of the Ottoman Empire, even though the border was only a few kilometers from the city.

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Today, following a comprehensive restoration of the ramparts and revitalization completed in 2022, the fortress blends its fortification heritage with a vision for the future. Nestled within the Pincers section is a modern educational campus, while a souvenir shop has found its place in the former gunpowder magazine on the Star. During the summer months, you can find refreshments at the café bar at the very top of the Star—and the best way to appreciate the view from above is to see it for yourself.

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There is only one entrance to the Star. It is located on the southern side, on the access path, from which a path continues to the Pincers. Purchasing a ticket for St. John's Fortress grants you entry to Barone Fortress, and vice versa. However, the best value is to buy a combined ticket for all three of Šibenik's land fortresses to complete your exploration of the city's fortification heritage. Opening hours vary by season, so we highly recommend checking the information on the official Fortress of Culture website. Last entry is possible no later than 30 minutes before closing time.