Josip Pavic | Fortress of Culture Šibenik (original) (raw)
Papers by Josip Pavic
Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske 48, 2024
OŠTRICA PENINSULA NEAR GREBAŠTICA—RESEARCH FINDINGS ON LATE MEDIEVAL WALL AND FIELD SURVEYS OF TH... more OŠTRICA PENINSULA NEAR GREBAŠTICA—RESEARCH FINDINGS ON LATE MEDIEVAL WALL AND FIELD SURVEYS OF THE PENINSULA
Comprehensive research and field surveys of the Oštrica peninsula, which began in early 2020, have yielded numerous and varied results. First of all, architectural remains and surface finds in the karst field in the western part of the peninsula confirm its use during Late Antiquity, possibly in relation to the nearby Roman settlement in Grebaštica. In the late Middle Ages, most of the peninsula consisted of pastures owned by the Šibenik commune, and afterwards the diocese. Ottoman raids in the second half of the 15th century began to threaten the settlement of Grebac (Grebaštica), which was one of the most important villages in the Šibenik district at the time. It appears that the nearby Oštrica peninsula was at that time already partitioned by a 300-meter-long wall, which is documented in cartographic resources and written testimonies as Murata
or Muraje. In order to further protect the village population, the Venetians extended the wall in 1497. Just like many fortification structures of similar character in Dalmatia, the wall had two coastal towers connected by a walkway and crenelation. From the southeast tower, which was discovered in recent archaeological investigations, a subsequently built wall that protected the nearby pier stretched toward the sea. After the extension of the wall and the Ottoman–Venetian war between 1499 and 1503, the village of Grebac was abandoned. A new settlement with houses, courtyards, streets and mills was established on the Oštrica peninsula.
Some buildings were located in the karst field, while others were situated adjacent to the extended wall. The peninsula was permanently inhabited only for a few decades. After that, the population moved to an even safer island of Krapanj. At the beginning of the 17th century, the coastal towers were already in a bad state, and the wall was not permanently manned. The construction of the small Church of the Holy Spirit, as well as several surface finds on the peninsula, can be tentatively dated back to the early modern period. The village of Grebaštica was rebuilt after the wars with the Ottomans ended. Since the 19th century, most of the Oštrica peninsula has been used for forestry, as well as for game farming in the past few decades. The last man-made structures include a concrete bunker and trenches dug into the hill about 150 meters south of the wall, and a chapel located at the farthest edge of the peninsula. Only the central section of the wall, approximately 250 meters long, has been preserved to this day, and the foundations of the coastal towers are also visible. Except for the fortresses in Šibenik, it represents the best-preserved fortification of the former Šibenik district.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XVII / Islami, Veizaj (Eds.), 2024
Unlike the well-documented and almost fully researched Šibenik fortifications constructed in 16 t... more Unlike the well-documented and almost fully researched Šibenik fortifications constructed in 16 th and 17 th century (St. Nicholas' Fortress, St. John's Fortress, Barone Fortress), the evolution, direction and spatial extent of earlier Šibenik fortifications have not been fully unraveled. St. Michael's fortress (castello) above the city, which has been occupied since pre-Roman era, was extensively rebuilt by the Venetians in early 15 th century. The city walls, descending from the fortress to the sea, were only completed in the second half of 15 th century-we have no information about any early versions of the walls, although they surely existed. Two forts on the inner, eastern side of the channel linking the Šibenik harbour to the open sea were also considered a part of the medieval fortification system. Considering the limited number of written historical sources, the existence of several cartographic representations of Šibenik from the late 15 th and early 16 th century (Konrad von Grünenberg's 1486 veduta, and Venetian map of central Dalmatia from c.a. 1510, among others) is of particular value. Despite their different provenance and character, a detailed analysis of these graphic sources can offer some (but not all) answers to many open questions regarding the pre-bastion defence of Šibenik.
OPUS - storia, architettura, restauro, disegno (No. 7), 2023
catalogo on line www.gangemieditore.it Le nostre edizioni sono disponibili in Italia e all'estero... more catalogo on line www.gangemieditore.it Le nostre edizioni sono disponibili in Italia e all'estero anche in versione ebook. Our publications, both as books and ebooks, are available in Italy and abroad.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIII / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
The city of Šibenik was for the Republic of Venice one of the most strategically important cities... more The city of Šibenik was for the Republic of Venice one of the most strategically important cities on the eastern Adriatic coast. With the seizure of power in Šibenik at the beginning of the 15th century, Venice
undertook a series of constructions with the aim of securing military primacy over the city. In Dalmatian cities that resisted the establishment of their rule, Venetians built a castle for its military crew by the sea shore, surrounded with a defensive moat towards the city. In Šibenik, on the contrary, they renewed the existing medieval castle on the hill above the city, connecting it with the coastline by an isolated, highly fortified passage. This passage is currently the only example of a ‘rescue road’ on the eastern Adriatic coast. This paper dates its construction and tries to reconstruct its original appearance with the help of a series of graphic sources. In the second half of the century interventions on the Šibenik fortifications were focused on defending the city from an external enemy. At the initiative and insistence of the local population, Venice strengthened and modernized the land stretch of the city walls and present contribution
provides a reconstruction of the construction chronology of the city walls and their original appearance.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIV / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
St. Michael’s Fortress is the oldest existing historical monument in the city of Šibenik, with ar... more St. Michael’s Fortress is the oldest existing historical monument in the city of Šibenik, with archaeological findings ranging from prehistory up until today. Various external fortifications were built from 15th to 17th century around the medieval castle, giving the fortress its irregular shape. One of its peripheral structures – for many years unrecognized as a part of the fortress – is located on the northwestern slopes. Archaeological excavations at this position began in late 2017, and after three campaigns it became clear that this was a distinct (albeit a small) tower, a proto-bastion for early handguns. It was constructed in the late 15th century
to flank the existing ramparts (strada di soccorso) leading from the fortress to the sea. Archival research did not uncover the exact date of construction or the original term by which the structure was called, and following the examples or structures of the same period, the research team chose to designate it as a spur (It. sperone), or in local vernacular – ‘špirun’. A publication of scientific paper (available online on Croatian scientific database) in mid-2019 was followed by several public presentations and walks. At the same time, a restoration project was made as the western wall of the spur was estimated to be seriously impaired. After the completion and the approval of the restoration project, the construction works partly financed by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media were finally carried out from November 2021 to April 2022. This entire process, which included detection, archaeological and historical analysis, publication and presentation of research, interdisciplinary discussion and agreement on the methods of restoration and the subsequent use, and finally the implementation of the restoration project, is perhaps a good example of how the fortification heritage in Croatia should be treated in the future.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIII / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
This paper provides an overview of historical and archival research, as well as numerous field su... more This paper provides an overview of historical and archival research, as well as numerous field surveys made by the Heritage Department of public cultural institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik from 2018 to 2021. The recently awakened interest for late medieval and early modern fortifications in the wider Šibenik area has resulted in the discovery of several sites with traces of earlier (15 th-17 th century) fortifications are still visible today. These fortifications, scattered on the borders of former Šibenik district, were built for the defence against the increasingly frequent incursions of the Ottoman akinçi troops that were ravaging the Dalmatian hinterland since mid-15 th century. They were set on dominant positions, which were not only excellent defensive points, but also had a visual control of wider surrounding areas. The strategic importance of these positions has been recognized in earlier times, as most of them were used in prehistoric times or antiquity. Some of the forts were made by noble families of Šibenik, as peasant refuges near their estates. Other were made by districtual or Venetian government in hope of containing the Ottoman threat. They usually had a plain rectangular shape, with towers on two or all four corners. Even more rudimentary fortifications were ramparts built as barriers over peninsulas or on the edges of mountain cliffs which enclosed a certain area where the local population would take refuge when in danger. One particular example are the traces of large building in the hinterland of Šibenik, for which archival sources indicate that it was a fortified residential complex.
Annales Instituti Archaeologici Vol. XVIII No. 1, 2022
Tijekom travnja 2021. godine Institut za arheologiju i Muzej grada Šibenika nastavili su arheološ... more Tijekom travnja 2021. godine Institut za arheologiju
i Muzej grada Šibenika nastavili su arheološka
istraživanja lokaliteta Mukoše kraj Goriša. Riječ je o
višeslojnom lokalitetu nastalom urušenjem gornjeg
dijela nekog kamenom zidanog objekta impozantne
veličine. Jedinstven tlocrt čini pravokutnik s po
jednom apsidom na svakoj strani, osim na istočnoj
na kojoj su se nalazile dvije apside. Kad je objekt
već bio urušen i sličan gomili, u kasnom srednjem
vijeku, u njegovom se kutu nalazila promatračnica.
Za sada najviše možemo reći tek o završnoj fazi
ovog lokaliteta, o vremenu kada je objekt pretvoren u gomilu bio odabran za mjesto pokopavanja.
Radiokarbonske nalaze odabranih grobova ove
pokope smještaju unutar 16. stoljeća, Upravo se u
drugoj četvrtini 16. stoljeća, nakon što je šibensko
zaleđe duže vrijeme bila ničija zemlja ispražnjena
od stanovništva, na šire područje Goriša doseljava novo stanovništvo – Morlaci kršćani. Oni
prvo počinju koristiti već neko vrijeme napuštene
posjede, a potom za pokapanje odabiru najbližu
lokaciju iz koje su virili čvrsti zidovi vjerujući da je
riječ o crkvi, posvećenom tlu.
_____________
In April 2021, the Institute of Archaeology and the
Šibenik Town Museum continued the archaeolog- ical excavations at the Mukoše site near Goriš. This
multi-layered site was created by the collapse of
the upper part of a stone building of imposing size.
The unique ground plan consists of a rectangle with
one apse on each side, except for the eastern side,
where there were two apses. When the building had
already collapsed and was similar to a cairn, in the
late Middle Ages, it had a watchtower on a corner.
For now, most of what we can say concerns the final
phase of the site, when the structure-turned-cairn
was chosen for burials. The radiocarbon analyses
of selected graves date these burials to the 16th
century. In fact, in the second quarter of the 16th
century, after the Šibenik hinterland had long
been a deserted no-man's land, the wider area of
Goriš was settled by a new population: Christian
Morlachs. They first moved into properties that had
been abandoned for some time, and then chose
to conduct their burials at the nearest site with
upright solid walls, believing it was a church, consecrated ground.
![Research paper thumbnail of „Ljetna pozornica – neodgodiva potreba”: stara ideja o novoj namjeni tvrđave sv. Mihovila u Šibeniku (1953. – 1975.) / „Summer stage – an undelayable necessity”: the old idea of a new purpose of St. Michael's Fortress in Šibenik (1953 – 1975) [Vjesnik dalmatinskih arhiva 1/2020]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/65943256/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Vjesnik dalmatinskih arhiva 1, 2020
Sredinom 2014. godine tvrđava sv. Mihovila, najstariji povijesni spomenik u Šibeniku, ponovno je ... more Sredinom 2014. godine tvrđava sv. Mihovila, najstariji povijesni spomenik u Šibeniku, ponovno je otvorena za posjetitelje s novim sadržajem – ljetnom pozornicom. No, ideja gradnje ljetne pozornice na tvrđavi znatno je starija. Na prvu vijest o mogućoj pozornici na tvrđavi nailazimo još 1953. godine. Tijekom iduća dva desetljeća ta je tema kontinuirano prisutna u kulturnom životu Šibenika, sve dok 1975. godine projekt nije i službeno zaustavljen, zbog „revolucionarnih nalaza” pronađenih tijekom arheoloških radova koji su trebali biti uvod u gradnju pozornice.
The oldest historical monument in Šibenik, St. Michael's Fortress, was reopened for public in mid-2014 with a new content - a summer stage. But the idea of building a summer stage on the fortress is much older. The first news about a possible stage at the fortress date back to 1953. Over the next two decades, this theme was continuously present in the cultural life of Šibenik. The project was officially stopped in 1975, due to "revolutionary findings" uncovered during archaeological works that were supposed to be a preface to the construction of the stage.
Katalog izložbe, Tvrđava sv. Mihovila - Šibenik, rujan 2018. Exhibition catalogue, St. Michael's ... more Katalog izložbe, Tvrđava sv. Mihovila - Šibenik, rujan 2018.
Exhibition catalogue, St. Michael's Fortress - Šibenik, September 2018.
Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske 41-42, 2017
Arheološkim iskapanjima, povijesnim i konzervatorskim istraživanjima razjašnjena je funkcija obra... more Arheološkim iskapanjima, povijesnim i konzervatorskim istraživanjima razjašnjena je funkcija obrambenog položaja na krajnjem sjeverozapadu Tvrđave sv. Mihovila. Obrambeni sperone na tom mjestu sagrađen je kako bi flankirao i tako dodatno ojačao obranu dvostrukog bedema (strada del soccorso) dovršenog već 20-ih godina 15. stoljeća, početkom mletačke uprave u Šibeniku. Na speroneu su, među ostalim, pronađena tri niza dvostrukih otvora (strijelnice na višoj i kvadratni otvori na nižoj razini) koji su karakteristični za vrlo ranu upotrebu vatrenog oružja. Najkasnije na samom početku 16. stoljeća sjeverno od dvostrukog bedema izgrađen je i dolački bedem, što predstavlja gornji datacijski okvir tj. vrijeme prije kojega je sperone na sjeverozapadu Tvrđave sv. Mihovila sigurno bio sagrađen.
Archaeological excavations, historical and conservation research have clarified the function of the defensive position in the extreme northwest of St. Michael's Fortress in Šibenik. The defensive spur ("sperone") was built on this site to flank and thus further strengthen the defense of the 'double rampart' (strada del soccorso) which was completed in early 1420's, at the beginning of the Venetian administration in Šibenik. Three rows of double openings (arrowslits at the higher and square openings at the lower level) were found on the 'sperone', characteristical for very early era of firearms. At the beginning of the 16th century at the latest, 'Dolac rampart' was built north of the double rampart. This represents the upper dating frame, ie the time before which the 'sperone' in the northwest of the Fortress of St. Michael must have been built.
Radovi Zavoda za povijesne znanosti HAZU u Zadru, 2020
U radu se obrađuju ostatci tri utvrde sa zapada srednjovjekovnog šibenskog distrikta. Rakitnica, ... more U radu se obrađuju ostatci tri utvrde sa zapada srednjovjekovnog šibenskog distrikta. Rakitnica, Dazlina i Velim ključne su točke u obrani plodnih polja zapada šibenskog distrikta pred Osmanlijama krajem 15. i početkom 16. stoljeća. Izgrađene kao plemićke utvrde za sklanjanje lokalnog stanovništva, s porastom osmanske opasnosti prelaze u državne, mletačke ruke. Do kraja Ciparskog rata (1570. – 1573.) sve tri utvrde osvojit će Osmanlije. Početkom Kandijskog rata 1647. godine ruši ih mletačka vojska pod zapovjedništvom generalnog providura Leonarda Foscola. Nakon pomicanja mletačko-osmanske granice na liniju Grimani 1699. godine, prestaje vojni značaj utvrda Rakitnice, Dazline i Velima i ne postoji povijesni podatak o njihovu daljnjem korištenju u vojne svrhe.
The paper covers the remains of three fortifications in the western part of the medieval Šibenik district. At the end of 15th and the start of 16th century, Rakitnica, Dazlina and Velim are the key points in the defense of fertile fields located in the western part of Šibenik district. Built as fortifications to shelter the local population, with the rise of the Ottoman threat they passed into the hands of Venetian state. By the end of the Cyprus War (1570-1573), all three forts are conquered by the Ottomans. At the beginning of the Candian War in 1647, they were destroyed by the Venetian army under the command of provveditore-generale Leonardo Foscolo. The military significance of the fortifications of Rakitnica, Dazlina and Velim ceased after the Venetian-Ottoman border moved to the Grimani line in 1699, and there is no historical data on their further use for military purposes.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean, ed. by Navarro Palazón, J. and Luis José García-Pulido Vol. XI, 721-728. Granada: Universidad de Granada, Universitat Politècnica de València, Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife, 2020
Skradin is a town on the right bank of the Krka river, about 15 km upstream from Šibenik. Located... more Skradin is a town on the right bank of the Krka river, about 15 km upstream from Šibenik. Located deep in the hinterland, with good road connections, and a luxury of natural resources nearby, it's no wonder that urban life flourished here since the Iron Age. But being below surrounding hills, this trading centre could never be successfully defended from a prolonged siege. This is why, throughout medieval times, Skradin was usually regarded as a less important neighbour of flourishing Šibenik. Various Croatian noble families, and occasionally the Venetians, ruled the town in fifteenth century. Conquered by the Ottomans in winter of 1521-22, Skradin soon again became an important trading point, the southern-most town in Krka sancak. It was reclaimed by Venetians temporarily from 1647 to 1670, and permanently from 1683. Today, due to the thorough destruction by the Venetian army, the earliest buildings in Skradin date to eighteenth century. The one exception is Turina, a small late medieval fort above the town. Recently branded as a fortress of Šubić family-the powerful magnates from late thirteenth century -, Turina was long considered to be Skradin's main defensive point even in the Ottoman era. However , several archival sources suggested the existence of another fort, located on a much more favourable position. This theory was finally confirmed by surveying the nearby Gradina hill in the autumn of 2018.
A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in the Late Medieval and Earl... more A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Period
Portal 10, 2019
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice quickly started rebuilding existing ... more At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice
quickly started rebuilding existing fortifications and
constructing new ones in order to secure military and
political dominance in the cities that resisted its rule. In
Šibenik, the Republic placed its garrison in the medieval
citadel above the city and connected it to the coast in the
bay of Šibenik with a fortified passage, a road of salvation,
planning to use it for reinforcements in case of a siege,
or for the garrison’s retreat in the event it fell into enemy
hands. The road of salvation was built in the form of a
double rampart, and had a tower at the entrance, and another
one that divided the passage into two parts. Even
though it was never used for the purpose it was originally
built for, communication through the double rampart
could take place on two levels: the stairs and ramps on
the ground, and over the walkway at the top of two parallel
wall claddings.
The road of salvation in Šibenik is the only known example
in Dalmatian fortification architecture. There are
no other examples of a road of salvation of this size with
defined dimensions and form on the Dalmatian coast,
and with almost all preserved elements. According to the
available data, its form is unique amongst the fortifications
of the Republic of Venice, some of which have recently
received the status of world heritage site. Therefore,
when restoring and presenting this monument, it is important
to bear in mind not to violate its unity, historical
identity and clarity of various forms of design, especially
the interesting and unique communication on two different
levels, original functions and materials. The road
of salvation in Šibenik is extremely valuable for the history
of fortifications and architecture in Dalmatia in general,
Croatian cultural heritage, and, in a broader context,
for the history of fortifications in the Republic of Venice.
Portal, 2018
Tvrđava Barone sagrađena je na položaju Sv. Vid na samom početku Kandijskoga rata 1646. godine, n... more Tvrđava Barone sagrađena je na položaju Sv. Vid na samom početku Kandijskoga rata 1646. godine, neposredno nakon gradnje tvrđave sv. Ivana. Sagradio ju je barun Christoph Martin von Degenfeld, general u mletačkoj službi po kojem je i nazvana. Bila je osnovni dio bastionskog sustava šibenskih fortifikacija 17. stoljeća zajedno sa susjednom, znatno jačom, tvrđavom sv. Ivana te bastionom Bernardo i bastionom sv. Katarine na istočnom dijelu šibenskih gradskih bedema. Međutim, prvotna tvrđava bila je samo manja utvrda, tj. ridotto. To potvrđuju sačuvani literarni, epigrafski i grafički povijesni izvori, kao i sačuvani ostaci arhitekture. Ridotto del Baron jedna je u nizu takvih privremenih manjih utvrda šibenskog fortifikacijskog sustava nastalih početkom Kandijskoga rata, ali samo je ridotto del Baron ojačan i uzdignut na status tvrđave. To se dogodilo u vrijeme mandata generalnog providura Antonija Bernarda 1659. godine. Razlog što je ridotto del Baron postao tvrđava svakako je u njegovu dominantom strateškom položaju nad Šibenikom, na koti koja je tek nešto niža od one na kojoj je tvrđava sv. Ivana.
FortMed 2018 Conference proceedings, 2018
Barone fortress was constructed in August and September of 1646, within a hurried fortification o... more Barone fortress was constructed in August and September of 1646, within a hurried fortification of then Venetian city of Šibenik in the early phase of Candian War (1645-69). Neglected and abandoned for a long time, the fortress acquired a new social and urbanistic role after the successful revitalization project (2014-16). Just before the inevitable entry of construction machinery, archaeologists got the chance to do the first excavations in fortress' history. They had found several walls which could only be interpreted as the remnants of an earlier stage of this fortification. Then, a newly conducted analysis of graphic and written historical sources has led to some new discoveries. A hill called Vidakovac was originally fortified as one of several posts or redoubts (ridotto) on the fortification perimeter of Šibenik, all of which were used as a support to the new defensive centerpoint – St. John's fortress. Sources suggest that every one of these redoubts was named after its builder, in the case of Vidakovac – ridotto di Barone – after the commander of cavalry in Venetian army, baron Christoph Martin von Degenfeld. This minor post, but on a very convenient position, was 'raised' to the level of fortress (forte) within a new fortification project during the rule of provveditore Antonio Bernardo (1656-60).
FortMed 2017 Conference proceedings, 2017
In early autumn of 1646, after only two months of hastily organized public works and just days be... more In early autumn of 1646, after only two months of hastily organized public works and just days before the arrival of the Ottoman army, the people of Šibenik had finished the construction of fortress on the hill which overlooks the Old town. The new defensive position, built without the official approval or financial help from Venetian government, successfully withheld two sieges in 1646/47. St. John's Fortress thus became the main defence point of Šibenik, and during more than three centuries it was used as such by successive 'users' which came after the Venetians – Austrian, Italian and Yugoslav army. After the revitalization of two other fortresses of Šibenik in the last few years with the help of EU funds, the €6.55 million Revitalization of St. John's Fortress area project was initiated, and the first archaeological excavations of the Fortress took place in 2015 and 2016/17. These new circumstances were an opportunity for an enhanced approach and interdisciplinary conversation about the Early Modern fortification heritage of Šibenik and the region. Based both on familiar as well as new, recently found historical sources and material, a theory suggests that the fortress' early development (1646-1660) was significantly more complex than deemed earlier.
Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske 48, 2024
OŠTRICA PENINSULA NEAR GREBAŠTICA—RESEARCH FINDINGS ON LATE MEDIEVAL WALL AND FIELD SURVEYS OF TH... more OŠTRICA PENINSULA NEAR GREBAŠTICA—RESEARCH FINDINGS ON LATE MEDIEVAL WALL AND FIELD SURVEYS OF THE PENINSULA
Comprehensive research and field surveys of the Oštrica peninsula, which began in early 2020, have yielded numerous and varied results. First of all, architectural remains and surface finds in the karst field in the western part of the peninsula confirm its use during Late Antiquity, possibly in relation to the nearby Roman settlement in Grebaštica. In the late Middle Ages, most of the peninsula consisted of pastures owned by the Šibenik commune, and afterwards the diocese. Ottoman raids in the second half of the 15th century began to threaten the settlement of Grebac (Grebaštica), which was one of the most important villages in the Šibenik district at the time. It appears that the nearby Oštrica peninsula was at that time already partitioned by a 300-meter-long wall, which is documented in cartographic resources and written testimonies as Murata
or Muraje. In order to further protect the village population, the Venetians extended the wall in 1497. Just like many fortification structures of similar character in Dalmatia, the wall had two coastal towers connected by a walkway and crenelation. From the southeast tower, which was discovered in recent archaeological investigations, a subsequently built wall that protected the nearby pier stretched toward the sea. After the extension of the wall and the Ottoman–Venetian war between 1499 and 1503, the village of Grebac was abandoned. A new settlement with houses, courtyards, streets and mills was established on the Oštrica peninsula.
Some buildings were located in the karst field, while others were situated adjacent to the extended wall. The peninsula was permanently inhabited only for a few decades. After that, the population moved to an even safer island of Krapanj. At the beginning of the 17th century, the coastal towers were already in a bad state, and the wall was not permanently manned. The construction of the small Church of the Holy Spirit, as well as several surface finds on the peninsula, can be tentatively dated back to the early modern period. The village of Grebaštica was rebuilt after the wars with the Ottomans ended. Since the 19th century, most of the Oštrica peninsula has been used for forestry, as well as for game farming in the past few decades. The last man-made structures include a concrete bunker and trenches dug into the hill about 150 meters south of the wall, and a chapel located at the farthest edge of the peninsula. Only the central section of the wall, approximately 250 meters long, has been preserved to this day, and the foundations of the coastal towers are also visible. Except for the fortresses in Šibenik, it represents the best-preserved fortification of the former Šibenik district.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XVII / Islami, Veizaj (Eds.), 2024
Unlike the well-documented and almost fully researched Šibenik fortifications constructed in 16 t... more Unlike the well-documented and almost fully researched Šibenik fortifications constructed in 16 th and 17 th century (St. Nicholas' Fortress, St. John's Fortress, Barone Fortress), the evolution, direction and spatial extent of earlier Šibenik fortifications have not been fully unraveled. St. Michael's fortress (castello) above the city, which has been occupied since pre-Roman era, was extensively rebuilt by the Venetians in early 15 th century. The city walls, descending from the fortress to the sea, were only completed in the second half of 15 th century-we have no information about any early versions of the walls, although they surely existed. Two forts on the inner, eastern side of the channel linking the Šibenik harbour to the open sea were also considered a part of the medieval fortification system. Considering the limited number of written historical sources, the existence of several cartographic representations of Šibenik from the late 15 th and early 16 th century (Konrad von Grünenberg's 1486 veduta, and Venetian map of central Dalmatia from c.a. 1510, among others) is of particular value. Despite their different provenance and character, a detailed analysis of these graphic sources can offer some (but not all) answers to many open questions regarding the pre-bastion defence of Šibenik.
OPUS - storia, architettura, restauro, disegno (No. 7), 2023
catalogo on line www.gangemieditore.it Le nostre edizioni sono disponibili in Italia e all'estero... more catalogo on line www.gangemieditore.it Le nostre edizioni sono disponibili in Italia e all'estero anche in versione ebook. Our publications, both as books and ebooks, are available in Italy and abroad.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIII / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
The city of Šibenik was for the Republic of Venice one of the most strategically important cities... more The city of Šibenik was for the Republic of Venice one of the most strategically important cities on the eastern Adriatic coast. With the seizure of power in Šibenik at the beginning of the 15th century, Venice
undertook a series of constructions with the aim of securing military primacy over the city. In Dalmatian cities that resisted the establishment of their rule, Venetians built a castle for its military crew by the sea shore, surrounded with a defensive moat towards the city. In Šibenik, on the contrary, they renewed the existing medieval castle on the hill above the city, connecting it with the coastline by an isolated, highly fortified passage. This passage is currently the only example of a ‘rescue road’ on the eastern Adriatic coast. This paper dates its construction and tries to reconstruct its original appearance with the help of a series of graphic sources. In the second half of the century interventions on the Šibenik fortifications were focused on defending the city from an external enemy. At the initiative and insistence of the local population, Venice strengthened and modernized the land stretch of the city walls and present contribution
provides a reconstruction of the construction chronology of the city walls and their original appearance.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIV / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
St. Michael’s Fortress is the oldest existing historical monument in the city of Šibenik, with ar... more St. Michael’s Fortress is the oldest existing historical monument in the city of Šibenik, with archaeological findings ranging from prehistory up until today. Various external fortifications were built from 15th to 17th century around the medieval castle, giving the fortress its irregular shape. One of its peripheral structures – for many years unrecognized as a part of the fortress – is located on the northwestern slopes. Archaeological excavations at this position began in late 2017, and after three campaigns it became clear that this was a distinct (albeit a small) tower, a proto-bastion for early handguns. It was constructed in the late 15th century
to flank the existing ramparts (strada di soccorso) leading from the fortress to the sea. Archival research did not uncover the exact date of construction or the original term by which the structure was called, and following the examples or structures of the same period, the research team chose to designate it as a spur (It. sperone), or in local vernacular – ‘špirun’. A publication of scientific paper (available online on Croatian scientific database) in mid-2019 was followed by several public presentations and walks. At the same time, a restoration project was made as the western wall of the spur was estimated to be seriously impaired. After the completion and the approval of the restoration project, the construction works partly financed by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media were finally carried out from November 2021 to April 2022. This entire process, which included detection, archaeological and historical analysis, publication and presentation of research, interdisciplinary discussion and agreement on the methods of restoration and the subsequent use, and finally the implementation of the restoration project, is perhaps a good example of how the fortification heritage in Croatia should be treated in the future.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean / Vol. XIII / Bevilacqua, Ulivieri (Eds.), 2023
This paper provides an overview of historical and archival research, as well as numerous field su... more This paper provides an overview of historical and archival research, as well as numerous field surveys made by the Heritage Department of public cultural institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik from 2018 to 2021. The recently awakened interest for late medieval and early modern fortifications in the wider Šibenik area has resulted in the discovery of several sites with traces of earlier (15 th-17 th century) fortifications are still visible today. These fortifications, scattered on the borders of former Šibenik district, were built for the defence against the increasingly frequent incursions of the Ottoman akinçi troops that were ravaging the Dalmatian hinterland since mid-15 th century. They were set on dominant positions, which were not only excellent defensive points, but also had a visual control of wider surrounding areas. The strategic importance of these positions has been recognized in earlier times, as most of them were used in prehistoric times or antiquity. Some of the forts were made by noble families of Šibenik, as peasant refuges near their estates. Other were made by districtual or Venetian government in hope of containing the Ottoman threat. They usually had a plain rectangular shape, with towers on two or all four corners. Even more rudimentary fortifications were ramparts built as barriers over peninsulas or on the edges of mountain cliffs which enclosed a certain area where the local population would take refuge when in danger. One particular example are the traces of large building in the hinterland of Šibenik, for which archival sources indicate that it was a fortified residential complex.
Annales Instituti Archaeologici Vol. XVIII No. 1, 2022
Tijekom travnja 2021. godine Institut za arheologiju i Muzej grada Šibenika nastavili su arheološ... more Tijekom travnja 2021. godine Institut za arheologiju
i Muzej grada Šibenika nastavili su arheološka
istraživanja lokaliteta Mukoše kraj Goriša. Riječ je o
višeslojnom lokalitetu nastalom urušenjem gornjeg
dijela nekog kamenom zidanog objekta impozantne
veličine. Jedinstven tlocrt čini pravokutnik s po
jednom apsidom na svakoj strani, osim na istočnoj
na kojoj su se nalazile dvije apside. Kad je objekt
već bio urušen i sličan gomili, u kasnom srednjem
vijeku, u njegovom se kutu nalazila promatračnica.
Za sada najviše možemo reći tek o završnoj fazi
ovog lokaliteta, o vremenu kada je objekt pretvoren u gomilu bio odabran za mjesto pokopavanja.
Radiokarbonske nalaze odabranih grobova ove
pokope smještaju unutar 16. stoljeća, Upravo se u
drugoj četvrtini 16. stoljeća, nakon što je šibensko
zaleđe duže vrijeme bila ničija zemlja ispražnjena
od stanovništva, na šire područje Goriša doseljava novo stanovništvo – Morlaci kršćani. Oni
prvo počinju koristiti već neko vrijeme napuštene
posjede, a potom za pokapanje odabiru najbližu
lokaciju iz koje su virili čvrsti zidovi vjerujući da je
riječ o crkvi, posvećenom tlu.
_____________
In April 2021, the Institute of Archaeology and the
Šibenik Town Museum continued the archaeolog- ical excavations at the Mukoše site near Goriš. This
multi-layered site was created by the collapse of
the upper part of a stone building of imposing size.
The unique ground plan consists of a rectangle with
one apse on each side, except for the eastern side,
where there were two apses. When the building had
already collapsed and was similar to a cairn, in the
late Middle Ages, it had a watchtower on a corner.
For now, most of what we can say concerns the final
phase of the site, when the structure-turned-cairn
was chosen for burials. The radiocarbon analyses
of selected graves date these burials to the 16th
century. In fact, in the second quarter of the 16th
century, after the Šibenik hinterland had long
been a deserted no-man's land, the wider area of
Goriš was settled by a new population: Christian
Morlachs. They first moved into properties that had
been abandoned for some time, and then chose
to conduct their burials at the nearest site with
upright solid walls, believing it was a church, consecrated ground.
Vjesnik dalmatinskih arhiva 1, 2020
Sredinom 2014. godine tvrđava sv. Mihovila, najstariji povijesni spomenik u Šibeniku, ponovno je ... more Sredinom 2014. godine tvrđava sv. Mihovila, najstariji povijesni spomenik u Šibeniku, ponovno je otvorena za posjetitelje s novim sadržajem – ljetnom pozornicom. No, ideja gradnje ljetne pozornice na tvrđavi znatno je starija. Na prvu vijest o mogućoj pozornici na tvrđavi nailazimo još 1953. godine. Tijekom iduća dva desetljeća ta je tema kontinuirano prisutna u kulturnom životu Šibenika, sve dok 1975. godine projekt nije i službeno zaustavljen, zbog „revolucionarnih nalaza” pronađenih tijekom arheoloških radova koji su trebali biti uvod u gradnju pozornice.
The oldest historical monument in Šibenik, St. Michael's Fortress, was reopened for public in mid-2014 with a new content - a summer stage. But the idea of building a summer stage on the fortress is much older. The first news about a possible stage at the fortress date back to 1953. Over the next two decades, this theme was continuously present in the cultural life of Šibenik. The project was officially stopped in 1975, due to "revolutionary findings" uncovered during archaeological works that were supposed to be a preface to the construction of the stage.
Katalog izložbe, Tvrđava sv. Mihovila - Šibenik, rujan 2018. Exhibition catalogue, St. Michael's ... more Katalog izložbe, Tvrđava sv. Mihovila - Šibenik, rujan 2018.
Exhibition catalogue, St. Michael's Fortress - Šibenik, September 2018.
Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske 41-42, 2017
Arheološkim iskapanjima, povijesnim i konzervatorskim istraživanjima razjašnjena je funkcija obra... more Arheološkim iskapanjima, povijesnim i konzervatorskim istraživanjima razjašnjena je funkcija obrambenog položaja na krajnjem sjeverozapadu Tvrđave sv. Mihovila. Obrambeni sperone na tom mjestu sagrađen je kako bi flankirao i tako dodatno ojačao obranu dvostrukog bedema (strada del soccorso) dovršenog već 20-ih godina 15. stoljeća, početkom mletačke uprave u Šibeniku. Na speroneu su, među ostalim, pronađena tri niza dvostrukih otvora (strijelnice na višoj i kvadratni otvori na nižoj razini) koji su karakteristični za vrlo ranu upotrebu vatrenog oružja. Najkasnije na samom početku 16. stoljeća sjeverno od dvostrukog bedema izgrađen je i dolački bedem, što predstavlja gornji datacijski okvir tj. vrijeme prije kojega je sperone na sjeverozapadu Tvrđave sv. Mihovila sigurno bio sagrađen.
Archaeological excavations, historical and conservation research have clarified the function of the defensive position in the extreme northwest of St. Michael's Fortress in Šibenik. The defensive spur ("sperone") was built on this site to flank and thus further strengthen the defense of the 'double rampart' (strada del soccorso) which was completed in early 1420's, at the beginning of the Venetian administration in Šibenik. Three rows of double openings (arrowslits at the higher and square openings at the lower level) were found on the 'sperone', characteristical for very early era of firearms. At the beginning of the 16th century at the latest, 'Dolac rampart' was built north of the double rampart. This represents the upper dating frame, ie the time before which the 'sperone' in the northwest of the Fortress of St. Michael must have been built.
Radovi Zavoda za povijesne znanosti HAZU u Zadru, 2020
U radu se obrađuju ostatci tri utvrde sa zapada srednjovjekovnog šibenskog distrikta. Rakitnica, ... more U radu se obrađuju ostatci tri utvrde sa zapada srednjovjekovnog šibenskog distrikta. Rakitnica, Dazlina i Velim ključne su točke u obrani plodnih polja zapada šibenskog distrikta pred Osmanlijama krajem 15. i početkom 16. stoljeća. Izgrađene kao plemićke utvrde za sklanjanje lokalnog stanovništva, s porastom osmanske opasnosti prelaze u državne, mletačke ruke. Do kraja Ciparskog rata (1570. – 1573.) sve tri utvrde osvojit će Osmanlije. Početkom Kandijskog rata 1647. godine ruši ih mletačka vojska pod zapovjedništvom generalnog providura Leonarda Foscola. Nakon pomicanja mletačko-osmanske granice na liniju Grimani 1699. godine, prestaje vojni značaj utvrda Rakitnice, Dazline i Velima i ne postoji povijesni podatak o njihovu daljnjem korištenju u vojne svrhe.
The paper covers the remains of three fortifications in the western part of the medieval Šibenik district. At the end of 15th and the start of 16th century, Rakitnica, Dazlina and Velim are the key points in the defense of fertile fields located in the western part of Šibenik district. Built as fortifications to shelter the local population, with the rise of the Ottoman threat they passed into the hands of Venetian state. By the end of the Cyprus War (1570-1573), all three forts are conquered by the Ottomans. At the beginning of the Candian War in 1647, they were destroyed by the Venetian army under the command of provveditore-generale Leonardo Foscolo. The military significance of the fortifications of Rakitnica, Dazlina and Velim ceased after the Venetian-Ottoman border moved to the Grimani line in 1699, and there is no historical data on their further use for military purposes.
Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean, ed. by Navarro Palazón, J. and Luis José García-Pulido Vol. XI, 721-728. Granada: Universidad de Granada, Universitat Politècnica de València, Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife, 2020
Skradin is a town on the right bank of the Krka river, about 15 km upstream from Šibenik. Located... more Skradin is a town on the right bank of the Krka river, about 15 km upstream from Šibenik. Located deep in the hinterland, with good road connections, and a luxury of natural resources nearby, it's no wonder that urban life flourished here since the Iron Age. But being below surrounding hills, this trading centre could never be successfully defended from a prolonged siege. This is why, throughout medieval times, Skradin was usually regarded as a less important neighbour of flourishing Šibenik. Various Croatian noble families, and occasionally the Venetians, ruled the town in fifteenth century. Conquered by the Ottomans in winter of 1521-22, Skradin soon again became an important trading point, the southern-most town in Krka sancak. It was reclaimed by Venetians temporarily from 1647 to 1670, and permanently from 1683. Today, due to the thorough destruction by the Venetian army, the earliest buildings in Skradin date to eighteenth century. The one exception is Turina, a small late medieval fort above the town. Recently branded as a fortress of Šubić family-the powerful magnates from late thirteenth century -, Turina was long considered to be Skradin's main defensive point even in the Ottoman era. However , several archival sources suggested the existence of another fort, located on a much more favourable position. This theory was finally confirmed by surveying the nearby Gradina hill in the autumn of 2018.
A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in the Late Medieval and Earl... more A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Period
Portal 10, 2019
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice quickly started rebuilding existing ... more At the beginning of the 15th century, the Republic of Venice
quickly started rebuilding existing fortifications and
constructing new ones in order to secure military and
political dominance in the cities that resisted its rule. In
Šibenik, the Republic placed its garrison in the medieval
citadel above the city and connected it to the coast in the
bay of Šibenik with a fortified passage, a road of salvation,
planning to use it for reinforcements in case of a siege,
or for the garrison’s retreat in the event it fell into enemy
hands. The road of salvation was built in the form of a
double rampart, and had a tower at the entrance, and another
one that divided the passage into two parts. Even
though it was never used for the purpose it was originally
built for, communication through the double rampart
could take place on two levels: the stairs and ramps on
the ground, and over the walkway at the top of two parallel
wall claddings.
The road of salvation in Šibenik is the only known example
in Dalmatian fortification architecture. There are
no other examples of a road of salvation of this size with
defined dimensions and form on the Dalmatian coast,
and with almost all preserved elements. According to the
available data, its form is unique amongst the fortifications
of the Republic of Venice, some of which have recently
received the status of world heritage site. Therefore,
when restoring and presenting this monument, it is important
to bear in mind not to violate its unity, historical
identity and clarity of various forms of design, especially
the interesting and unique communication on two different
levels, original functions and materials. The road
of salvation in Šibenik is extremely valuable for the history
of fortifications and architecture in Dalmatia in general,
Croatian cultural heritage, and, in a broader context,
for the history of fortifications in the Republic of Venice.
Portal, 2018
Tvrđava Barone sagrađena je na položaju Sv. Vid na samom početku Kandijskoga rata 1646. godine, n... more Tvrđava Barone sagrađena je na položaju Sv. Vid na samom početku Kandijskoga rata 1646. godine, neposredno nakon gradnje tvrđave sv. Ivana. Sagradio ju je barun Christoph Martin von Degenfeld, general u mletačkoj službi po kojem je i nazvana. Bila je osnovni dio bastionskog sustava šibenskih fortifikacija 17. stoljeća zajedno sa susjednom, znatno jačom, tvrđavom sv. Ivana te bastionom Bernardo i bastionom sv. Katarine na istočnom dijelu šibenskih gradskih bedema. Međutim, prvotna tvrđava bila je samo manja utvrda, tj. ridotto. To potvrđuju sačuvani literarni, epigrafski i grafički povijesni izvori, kao i sačuvani ostaci arhitekture. Ridotto del Baron jedna je u nizu takvih privremenih manjih utvrda šibenskog fortifikacijskog sustava nastalih početkom Kandijskoga rata, ali samo je ridotto del Baron ojačan i uzdignut na status tvrđave. To se dogodilo u vrijeme mandata generalnog providura Antonija Bernarda 1659. godine. Razlog što je ridotto del Baron postao tvrđava svakako je u njegovu dominantom strateškom položaju nad Šibenikom, na koti koja je tek nešto niža od one na kojoj je tvrđava sv. Ivana.
FortMed 2018 Conference proceedings, 2018
Barone fortress was constructed in August and September of 1646, within a hurried fortification o... more Barone fortress was constructed in August and September of 1646, within a hurried fortification of then Venetian city of Šibenik in the early phase of Candian War (1645-69). Neglected and abandoned for a long time, the fortress acquired a new social and urbanistic role after the successful revitalization project (2014-16). Just before the inevitable entry of construction machinery, archaeologists got the chance to do the first excavations in fortress' history. They had found several walls which could only be interpreted as the remnants of an earlier stage of this fortification. Then, a newly conducted analysis of graphic and written historical sources has led to some new discoveries. A hill called Vidakovac was originally fortified as one of several posts or redoubts (ridotto) on the fortification perimeter of Šibenik, all of which were used as a support to the new defensive centerpoint – St. John's fortress. Sources suggest that every one of these redoubts was named after its builder, in the case of Vidakovac – ridotto di Barone – after the commander of cavalry in Venetian army, baron Christoph Martin von Degenfeld. This minor post, but on a very convenient position, was 'raised' to the level of fortress (forte) within a new fortification project during the rule of provveditore Antonio Bernardo (1656-60).
FortMed 2017 Conference proceedings, 2017
In early autumn of 1646, after only two months of hastily organized public works and just days be... more In early autumn of 1646, after only two months of hastily organized public works and just days before the arrival of the Ottoman army, the people of Šibenik had finished the construction of fortress on the hill which overlooks the Old town. The new defensive position, built without the official approval or financial help from Venetian government, successfully withheld two sieges in 1646/47. St. John's Fortress thus became the main defence point of Šibenik, and during more than three centuries it was used as such by successive 'users' which came after the Venetians – Austrian, Italian and Yugoslav army. After the revitalization of two other fortresses of Šibenik in the last few years with the help of EU funds, the €6.55 million Revitalization of St. John's Fortress area project was initiated, and the first archaeological excavations of the Fortress took place in 2015 and 2016/17. These new circumstances were an opportunity for an enhanced approach and interdisciplinary conversation about the Early Modern fortification heritage of Šibenik and the region. Based both on familiar as well as new, recently found historical sources and material, a theory suggests that the fortress' early development (1646-1660) was significantly more complex than deemed earlier.
Istraživanja posljednjih desetljeća su pokazala da se Atanazijeva biografija sv. Antuna ponešto r... more Istraživanja posljednjih desetljeća su pokazala da se Atanazijeva biografija sv. Antuna ponešto razlikuje od stvarnosti i da je napisana ne samo kao prikaz svečevog života, već i kao programski tekst ranog kršćanstva; više o tome:
Nepoznata utvrđenja Šibenika i okolice, istraživanja 2017. - 2021. (katalog izložbe) / Unknown Fo... more Nepoznata utvrđenja Šibenika i okolice, istraživanja 2017. - 2021. (katalog izložbe) / Unknown Fortifications of Šibenik and its Surroundings, Research 2017 - 2021 (exhibition catalogue)
Popis utvrđenja u izdanju / List of fortifications in the edition:
Tvrđava sv. Mihovila (St. Michael's Fortress), Šibenik; Tvrđava sv. Ivana (St. John's Fortress), Šibenik; Velim; Dazlina; Rakitnica; Raslina; Skradin; Goriš; Radonić; Kaštel sv. Marko (St. Mark Castle); Vrpolje; Sv. Ivan del Tyro (St. John del Tyro); Oštrica-Grebaštica; Kopara-Rogoznica
A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in Late Medieval and Early Mo... more A Guide through Fortification Monuments in Šibenik and its District in Late Medieval and Early Modern Period
(Fortress of Culture Šibenik, 40pp)
by Marko Rimac, Marija Andric, Francesco Cerea, Josip Pavic, Roberto Vaccher, Federico Bulfone Gransinigh, Elma Koric, Ayşe Nükhet & Nuri Adiyeke, Domagoj Madunic, Filip Novosel, Željana Parčina - Rešić, Özgür Kolçak, Katerina B. Korrè, Vjeran Kursar, Marco Romio, Nikša Varezić, Aleksandar Jakovljevic, Lovre Lucic, and Duje Jerkovic
![Research paper thumbnail of Dopo Candia e Corfù. Niccolò Erizzo e le influenze al fortificare nell’ammodernamento dei forti lagunari della Serenissima (1716—1718), in "Late Venetian Fortification_International conference" [Programme_book of abstracts, Split, 4-5 October 2019]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/60697378/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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