After a summer filled with concerts and a wide range of cultural events, St. Michael’s Fortress in Šibenik has regained its former shine. As part of the cultural sponsorship programme that Kärcher has been carrying out worldwide for more than 30 years, the entrance staircase and stage of Šibenik’s most renowned fortress have been thoroughly cleaned.
A Second Conservation Cleaning Project in Croatia
The cleaning of St. Michael’s Fortress marks the second historic monument and public-space cleaning project undertaken by the team of Kärcher Croatia.
"St. Michael’s Fortress is an ideal stage not only for world-class musicians, but also for demonstrating the cleaning capabilities of Kärcher equipment. We have shown that our machines can thoroughly remove dirt resulting from the intensive use of surfaces while ensuring that these surfaces remain undamaged," said Marko Medja, Managing Director of Kärcher Croatia.
He added that the company was particularly pleased to support Fortress of Culture Šibenik through this second volunteer conservation cleaning project aimed at preserving historic monuments and public spaces.
Traces of spilled drinks, chewing gum residue, and grease from food are among the issues that require thorough cleaning. To successfully remove them, Kärcher’s professional equipment range was used, including HD and HDS high-pressure cleaners in combination with RM 838 cleaning agent, as well as the special eco!Booster nozzle and the FRV 50 Me surface cleaner. The combination of cleaning equipment, accessories, and gentle yet highly effective Kärcher cleaning agents resulted in the complete restoration of key areas of the fortress, preparing them for the upcoming concert season.
The cleaning project was carried out at the initiative of Fortress of Culture Šibenik, the public cultural institution responsible for the preservation, revitalisation, and enhancement of Šibenik’s fortification heritage. The institution manages three restored fortresses in Šibenik: St. Michael’s Fortress, Barone Fortress, and St. John’s Fortress.
"Since the summer of 2014, St. Michael’s Fortress has been a meeting place for heritage, music, and everyday city life. The approximately 120,000 visitors who come here each year also remind us of our responsibility to maintain and preserve this site. Caring for restored heritage is an ongoing task, often less visible to the public, but essential to ensuring that these spaces remain protected and accessible. We are therefore especially pleased that Kärcher included St. Michael’s Fortress in its initiative and contributed to its maintenance through its equipment, expertise, and work," said Gorana Barišić Bačelić, Director of Fortress of Culture Šibenik.
Kärcher and Cultural Heritage
Finally, it is worth noting that during the summer season, St. Michael’s Fortress hosts some of the most renowned names from both the Croatian and international music scenes. Through Kärcher’s cultural sponsorship programme, the fortress has joined a distinguished list of landmarks around the world that have been cleaned by Kärcher teams as part of their commitment to giving back to communities and preserving cultural heritage. This list includes iconic sites such as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Vatican colonnades, and the Colossi of Memnon in Thebes.
By supporting the maintenance of St. Michael’s Fortress, Kärcher has contributed to the preservation of a cultural landmark that continues to play a vital role in the cultural and social life of Šibenik, while helping to ensure that this historic venue remains accessible and welcoming to future generations.
