Tourism Valorization of the St Anthony's Channel
The St Anthony's Channel, one of the most beautiful parts of the Adriatic Coast and one of the most splendid sea entrances to a city, has eventually become accessible to the residents and tourists.
The project under the title of Tourism Valorization of the St Anthony's Channel in Šibenik, which lasted for 24 months (2nd March 2012 – 1st March 2014), was carried out by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas and Other Protected Natural Values of the Šibenik-Knin County in cooperation with the Šibenik-Knin County and the former State Institute for Nature Protection. The project partners were the Regional Development Agency of the Šibenik-Knin County and the Šibenik Tourist Board.
The St Anthony's Channel is part of the significant landscape Channel – Port in Šibenik. It spreads from the Šibenik Bridge to the end of the channel, i.e. to St Nicholas' Fortress. The project included a promenade along the south-east shore of the channel, from Panikovac Cove in Šibenik Bay to St Nicholas' Fortress at the entrance to the channel.
The overall objective of the project was to contribute to SMEs growth in the tourism sector of the Šibenik-Knin County, while the specific objective was to improve public tourism infrastructure and management system in order to plan the development as well as to promote selective aspects of active and cultural tourism and related services in the natural protected areas and Natura 2000 sites within the Šibenik-Knin County.
The results of the project / activities:
- Constructed 4.4-kilometre-long footpath in the St Anthony's Channel
- 400 square metres of access land
- Constructed 150-metre-long wooden bridge
- Landscaped lookout and rest area along the footpath
- Reconstructed old pier enabling access to the footpath by sea
- Installed equipment: 2 large maps if accessed by sea and by land, 10 information boards along the footpath, 10 directional signs along the access roads, 46 benches and 15 boards, 20 rubbish bins, 1 panoramic binocular at the lookout, 6 bicycle stands, lighting equipment with autonomous solar power system – 550 lamps, ramps and traffic barriers
- Archaeological research related to the Church of St Anthony
- Installed safety fence for the flight of steps connecting the pier with the rest of the area
- Children’s playground in Škar Cove, 170 square metres
- 2 boards and 5 traffic signs indicating that motor vehicles are prohibited, with the aim of preventing damage and increasing visitor safety
- Landscaped shoreline along the footpath
- A large number of workshops were organized and the Protected Natural Values in the Šibenik-Knin County Management Plan was designed
- Enhanced cooperation between the institutions and entrepreneurs
- Designed promotional materials (film, brochures, website)
- Designed Promotional Plan for the Protected Areas of the Šibenik-Knin County
The project was co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The total project value is 1.334.053, 99 euros, with 900.567,96 euros (69, 76 %) obtained through EU non-refundable funds and the remaining 433.486,03 euros largely co-financed by the Šibenik-Knin County (22, 04 %). The project was also co-financed by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas and Other Protected Natural Values of the Šibenik-Knin County (5,19 %), the Šibenik Tourist Board (2,09 %) and the Regional Development Agency (0,92 %).
