Together with the walls that descended from it on both the land and sea sides, the fortress protected the city from various invaders and was long considered impregnable until it was finally captured by the Venetians after numerous failed attempts. Fearing a local uprising or a siege, they built a unique fortification rarity:a "double wall" as a so-called escape route that would allow for a quick and safe retreat to the ships in the harbor.

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The fortress is surrounded by legends, such as the one about Saint John of Trogir, who celebrated mass in the small church of St. Michael—which once stood within the fortress—in the presence of the Croatian-Hungarian King Coloman. Legend has it that during the service, a dove representing the Holy Spirit descended upon the saint's head.

Although it defended the city from its inception, the fortress remained inaccessible to the people of Šibenik for centuries as it served as a military facility. Today, however, it not only welcomes locals but is open to visitors from all over the world, with world-famous musical stars performing on its summer stage. Its revitalization was completed in 2014 with a grand opening, after which it became known as one of the most beautiful summer stages in the region. It hosts numerous musical and theatrical events, accompanied by a welcome bonus: a breathtaking view of the city, the bay, St. Anthony's Channel, and the Šibenik archipelago. The amphitheater has 1,077 seats, and inside the fortress, right next to the backstage area for musicians, you can enjoy imaginative 3D projections housed in two 15th-century cisterns.

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The fortress has two entrances: the north entrance near the Fire Station and the south entrance, which you reach by climbing up from the historic city center. Access for people with disabilities is provided via the access road from the Fire Station, and from the plateau, an elevator leads to the underground and upper levels of the fortress. Next to the info desk, there is a gift shop featuring local products. A free audio guide is also available. Opening hours vary by season, so we highly recommend checking the information on the official Fortress of Culture website. The last entry is possible no later than 30 minutes before closing time. Due to concerts held at the fortress, the management reserves the right to shorten opening hours, which will always be announced in advance on the website.