Spomen-park Šubićevac

Šubićevac Memorial Park sits on a wooded hill above Šibenik, in the Šubićevac district next to the fortresses of St John and Barone. The site commemorates Croatian partisans and anti-fascist patriots executed by Italian fascist forces between 1941 and 1943, including the celebrated resistance leader Rade Končar, shot here on 22 May 1942 together with 25 fellow fighters.

What will you see there?

The park was officially opened in 1962. Its centerpiece is an almost eight-metre-tall white marble obelisk dedicated to the executed partisans, designed by sculptor Kosta Angeli Radovani and architect Zdenko Kolacio. At the entrance stands a bronze relief showing eleven human figures lined up against a wall in the posture of men awaiting execution, next to a waving flag bearing a five-pointed star. Behind the main monument is a row of roughly ten concrete posts, the very ones the fascists used to tie their victims to before the firing squads did their work. It is a stark, sobering site whose gravity contrasts sharply with the calm forest surrounding it.

Since the 1990s the memorial complex fell into gradual neglect, but recent years have brought restoration work on its most critical sections, so visitors today may find parts of the park in the middle of being revived.

How do you get there, and what pairs well with a visit?

The memorial park occupies a hillside rising above the southeastern edge of Šibenik's old town, within the larger wooded area known as Šubićevac Forest Park. From the city center it is an uphill walk along a network of paths winding through boulder-strewn knolls covered in shrubs and evergreens. The forest park is a favorite recreation spot for locals and includes a playground designed to be accessible to children of all abilities. Thanks to its proximity to St John's Fortress and Barone Fortress, the memorial park makes a natural starting or finishing point for a longer walk that combines history, nature and views.

When should you visit?

The best views over the city and the bay open up from the higher reaches of the hill, so a clear day, ideally in the morning or late afternoon, rewards visitors with the best light over Šibenik's rooftops. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for the uphill walk, avoiding the peak heat of a Dalmatian summer. The site is open year-round and free to visit.

Why visit?

Šubićevac Memorial Park brings together 20th-century wartime history, the monumental sculpture of socialist Yugoslavia, and a quiet forested hillside landscape. It appeals to travelers interested in the history of anti-fascist resistance in Dalmatia, as well as anyone looking for a peaceful viewpoint away from the crowds of the old town.

Frequently asked questions

What does Šubićevac Memorial Park commemorate? The executions of Croatian partisans and patriots by Italian fascist forces between 1941 and 1943, including the death of Rade Končar and 25 companions on 22 May 1942.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the park is open to the public and can be visited free of charge year-round.

How much time should you plan for a visit? Seeing the memorial itself takes about 20–30 minutes, but it is worth allowing more time for a longer walk through Šubićevac Forest Park, combined with a stop at St John's and Barone fortresses.

Is there anything for children nearby? Yes, the forest park includes a playground designed to be accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.