The late antique Church of Saint Lawrence, Banjol (Island of Rab, Croatia) – results of the first two archaeological campaigns (2015-2016) (original) (raw)
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Bulletin de l’Association pour l’Antiquité Tardive, n. 25, 2016
The complex of the church and the tower called Tureta, located in the Tarac bay in the central part of the island of Kornat, represents one of the most remarkable sites of our Late Antique heritage. The church itself is nestled in a bay with a little harbor at the foot of the early Byzantine tower that dominates the typical landscape of Kornati for 1500 years. Until recently, it was known only for its highly preserved apse in the back of today’s late Medieval church, bearing witness to a remarkable skill of Dalmatian Late Antique builders. The entire site had its first systematic archaeological excavations during the last decade that have not yet been finalized, but today it is possible to bring out at least some preliminary conclusions and display its historical development as well as its significance among the island sites. Church complex, most likely developed on the remains of an ancient villa rustica, consisted of single-nave church and lateral chambers arranged in two rows. One of them was equipped with a piscina in the shape of a Greek cross, and the other probably served as a funerary chapel or memoria in one phase. Discovery of the baptistery in 2006 caused quite a surprise, considering the then interpretation of the church only as a station on the maritime route and a companion of the early Byzantine tower above it. However, today’s understanding of the church allows the identification of four successive phases of construction and its gradual expansion. This presentation brings the contemporary interpretation of the entire church complex and the arguments for the complexity of its spatial development, which is explained by the presence of the supposed nearby settlement protected by the tower, in the vicinity of the fertile field with the source of water. Special attention is paid to the remains of the altar screen traces preserved in the first layer of the plastered flooring in the sanctuary of the early Christian church. The arguments are presented according to which these are the only archaeologically confirmed traces of wooden liturgical instalations in the province of Dalmatia.
HERCEGOVINA Časopis za kulturno i povijesno nasljeđe Journal of cultural heritage and history, 2024
The paper conducts an in-depth investigation into the architectural significance of the Franciscan convent and church of Saint John the Baptist in Kraljeva Sutjeska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The primary objective is to provide comprehensive insights into architectural aspects, including the historical context and current state of this culturally and historically significant site. Notably, this site played a pivotal role within not only the local community but the broader cultural landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina – sharing the royal seat of the Medieval Bosnian rulers with neighbouring Bobovac and being one of only three Franciscan convents that outlived Great Turskih War (1683-1699). Over the centuries, the architectural layers of this site have undergone multiple alterations and demolitions, with the earliest documented modifications dating back to the early XIV century. Presently, the complex stands as one of the largest within the OFM Bosna Argentina, comprising a convent building initially finalised in 1892 under the architectural guidance of Johann Holz and a parish church completed in 1908, designed by architect Josip Vancaš. This study is anchored in a multifaceted research approach encompassing the convent's archival records, thoroughly analysing pertinent literature in published sources and meticulous on-site investigations. The research findings unearth many historical insights, comprehensively understanding the site's evolution and enduring architectural significance. Furthermore, this investigation underscores the challenges of heritage protection and preservation efforts, particularly in the context of a place with such diverse historical and architectural strata. This scientific inquiry contributes to the broader body of knowledge concerning historical and architectural studies while highlighting the pressing need for sustained and vigilant measures to safeguard and preserve this invaluable cultural and architectural heritage for future generations.
Sacral architecture of Split parish churches built since 1990
St open, 2021
Objective: The article aims to provide a typology of contemporary sacral architecture in Croatia by analyzing the churches built in the Split area after the post-World War II ban on building churches was abolished. Methods: Parish archives and the Archive of Split-Makarska Archdiocese provided documentation that allowed for an in-depth analysis of newly built churches. A short historical overview is provided to corroborate the need of respective parishes for a new church; this is followed by an analysis of the ground plan and other architectural features. The church architecture is considered in the light of post-Council instructions that affect the appearance of contemporary churches. Finally, we provide an analysis of the relationship between sacral buildings and their urban environment. Results: Twelve new parish churches were built in the city of Split City area since 1990. A data analysis revealed that the major problem during church construction projects was the visual integra...