Šibenik’s Fortresses: Where History Meets Community

The stone walls of Barone Fortress rise above the historic centre of Šibenik, built during the 17th century as part of the city’s defensive system against Ottoman attacks, today the fortress stands not only as a reminder of military history but also as one of the region’s most dynamic cultural spaces.

Located only a short uphill walk from Šibenik’s old town, Barone Fortress can be reached through pedestrian routes crossing the city’s historic neighbourhoods. Alongside Saint Michael’s Fortress, Saint John’s Fortress and Saint Nicholas’ Fortress, Barone forms part of a wider cultural network that has reshaped the city’s relationship with its historical heritage.

Among the people contributing to the organisation and visitor experience were volunteers participating in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), a European Union programme promoting solidarity, intercultural exchange, and youth engagement through international volunteering projects. Working alongside local cultural institutions and event organisers, ESC volunteers supported activities ranging from visitor guidance and programme coordination to communication and public engagement during the festival.

A Fortress for Everyone: Inside the Night of Fortresses

On the 8^th of May 2026, Barone Fortress became one of the central gathering points of this year’s Night of Fortresses programme, welcoming visitors through an evening dedicated not only to culture and history, but also to accessibility and community participation.

From the early afternoon, volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps took part in environmental clean-up activities around the fortress area, collecting waste both inside and outside the historical site as part of the event’s sustainability initiative. Throughout the evening, they assisted visitors arriving at the fortress by providing directions, programme information, and practical support. They also helped guests use interactive tablets designed to guide participants along the event itinerary, allowing visitors to navigate the fortress spaces and activities more independently and intuitively.

Particular attention during the programme was dedicated to accessibility. Although historical fortresses are traditionally characterised by steep paths, stone stairways, and architectural barriers, the restoration

of Barone Fortress incorporated accessibility solutions directly into the redesign of the site. Ramps and adapted pathways were integrated into the historical structure in a way that respected the original architecture while making the space more accessible for visitors with disabilities and reduced mobility. Educational activities also formed part of the programme, including the presentation of the FORTIC  Project, an association between Italy and Croatia that promotes sustainable tourism, and a thematic lesson focused on the relationship between historical defence structures and modern concepts of accessibility.

One of the highlights of the evening took place at 7 p.m., when Croatian designer Karmen Herceg presented a fashion show featuring people with disabilities as models. The event combined fashion and social awareness, offering a powerful representation of inclusion within a historical setting.

Alongside the programme at Barone Fortress, other locations across Šibenik hosted inclusive activities connected to the Night of Fortresses. At St. Michael’s Fortress, an inclusive tour was organised in cooperation with the Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Šibenik-Knin County. Meanwhile,  St. Nicholas’ Fortress hosted activities developed together with the Association of the Deaf and Hard of  Hearing of Šibenik-Knin County, focusing on accessible communication and inclusive cultural participation for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.

Heritage for Everyone

The Night of Fortresses demonstrated how cultural heritage can become far more than the preservation of historical monuments. Through events that combine accessibility, community participation, and international cooperation, sites such as Barone Fortress and the other fortresses of Šibenik continue to strengthen the connection between the city’s historical identity and its contemporary social values.

By opening archaeological and cultural sites to wider audiences, the initiative promotes a vision of heritage that is inclusive and accessible to all visitors, regardless of physical or mental disabilities.  Programmes developed in cooperation with local associations showed how accessibility can be integrated into cultural spaces through adapted communication, architectural solutions, guided experiences, and active participation.

The involvement of the European Solidarity Corps further highlighted the European Union’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, solidarity, and equal participation. Through volunteering programmes,  accessibility projects, and additional support funding, European initiatives increasingly encourage cultural institutions to reduce barriers as much as possible and create environments where everyone can participate fully in public and cultural life. In this way, the Night of Fortresses not only preserves the memory of the past, but it also reflects the values shaping the future of European cultural heritage: openness,  cooperation, and inclusivity.