SIBENIK, a port of Dalmatia, Yugoslavia, on the Adriatic Sea (Ital. Sebenico). Pop. (1931) 37,284, over 98% being Croatians. Sibenik, full of Venetian Gothic and Renaissance architecture, is built on a steep hill, and is partly walled. On the seaward side are two forts, now dismantled, and the castle of St. Anna. There are both Orthodoi and Roman Catholic bishops, the see of the latter having been founded in 1298. Most of the in habitants are of the Roman faith and have a beautiful cruciform church built entirely of stone, even the waggon vaults over the nave, choir and transepts being unprotected by lead or tiles. Probably no other church in Europe, of equal size, is similarly con structed. The older part (1430-40 is Italian Gothic.
Sibenik is a naval base, has a wireless station and a steamship station, and has a considerable export trade in bauxite. It is lighted by electricity, the power being supplied by the celebrated falls of Kerka. There are several schools including a secondary one, and also a Forest School. The town is a weaving centre, and
here the national costumes are made. Other industries include an insecticide powder mill, a calcium carbide factory, woollen mills, oil refining, the preparation of the Rhus Cotenus for dyeing pur poses, wine and honey, while fishing and sponge and coral fishing are also carried on. Many of the inhabitants are fishermen.
Sibenik is said to have been founded by the Uskoks (see BosNIA) fleeing from Turkish oppression, who then took to piracy. Later the town became famous as a favourite residence of the Croatian kings. In 1117 it was captured by Venice, but held by Hungary from 1351 to 1412, when it again became Venetian. In 1647 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Turks, and after the fall of Venice in 1797 it became French. From 1815 to 1918 it was Austrian, and in the latter year, before Dalmatia was in corporated in Yugoslavia, it was occupied by the Italians.