Why visit
Why visit St James's Cathedral
The Cathedral of St James took 105 years to build (1431–1536) and is the only major European cathedral entirely made of stone — no bricks, no wood, no mortar in its ribbed vault. Master Juraj Dalmatinac's most famous touch is the frieze of 71 sculpted heads that ring the outside apse — real 15th-century Šibenik citizens who wouldn't pay their construction tax, memorialised with all their frowning, gap-toothed expressions..
At a glance
Estimated visit
1 hour
Best season
Any time
Where
Šibenik, Croatia
Category
UNESCO
History
The Cathedral of St James took 105 years to build (1431–1536) and is the only major European cathedral entirely made of stone — no bricks, no wood, no mortar in its ribbed vault. Master Juraj Dalmatinac's most famous touch is the frieze of 71 sculpted heads that ring the outside apse — real 15th-century Šibenik citizens who wouldn't pay their construction tax, memorialised with all their frowning, gap-toothed expressions.
“The 71 stone heads on the outside of the cathedral are portraits of real people from 15th-century Šibenik who refused to donate to the cathedral — a very public shaming.”
Live from here
Gallery
Nearby attractions
Nearby restaurants, cafés & bars
Community reviews
On the map