Today’s smart devices are virtual time machines. Don a pair of augmented reality (AR) device sand step 370 years in to the past, to the 1646 Ottoman siege of Šibenik.  The defence of the city by the citizens of Šibenik is told through an exhilarating audio and video experience taking the viewer right into the centre of the action. The siege takes place on Barone Fortress, a fortification hastily built in just under two months lying on the hills overlooking the city. The fortress was part of the defence system of Šibenik which included three other fortresses and together they served as the last line of defence against the invading Ottomans. While the other three fortresses were named after sacred buildings, this one was named after Baron Degen feld, a hero in the story of the cities defence.
The fortress soon fell into a state of disrepair after the Ottoman invaders were repelled. It was several hundred years later, in the early 20th century that the city of Šibenik purchased the fortress and its surrounding land. It eventually gained use as a viewpoint overlooking the city’s marina and archipelago, and as a recreational space for hiking.

It was only recently that the city of Šibenik began looking at restoring the centuries old structure. In June of 2014, with the financial backing of the European Regional Development Fund, an almost €1.4 million project was undertaken by the city of Šibenik to renovate Barone Fortress. The goal of the project was to provide the visitors of the fortress with a cultural attraction and incorporate high-tech innovative services. Utilising AR technology, the stories of the past can now become the attractions of the future.
A visitors quipped with AR device is greeted at the entrance to the fortress– the use of device is included in admission ticket price. This, alongside other eye-witness accounts of the siege help to comprise a unique educational experience that would never have been possible otherwise.
Barone Fortress was finally reopened to the public. The opening ceremony celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the city of Šibenik and marked the 950th anniversary of the first written mention of the city’s name.
The fortress is now a unique and new attraction among many in Croatia. It brings from the past a pivotal event in the region’s history and lets visitors immerse themselves in its intricacies using the exciting AR technology.