Pregledni rad
Reflections on the Restoration and Revitalization of Diocletian’s Palace in Split
Marija Buzov
Sažetak
To discuss Diocletian’s Palace in Split at present might appear irrelevant, but this Late Antique monument is a central monument of the entire Roman Empire. Even though Emperor Diocletian had a bad reputation for passionate construction (cupiditas aedificandi), he built his residence in the bay near Salona not only as a secure residence for himself and his suite, but also as a monument to tetrarchy, the state and economic reforms by which he planned to renew the magnificence of the then already shaken Empire (CAMBI, 2002, 80). Of course, it is not a palace of the actual emperor, but a reminiscence of the past and the owner’s merits. The quality and composition of the palace as a complex with an urbane character could easily be transformed into a Late Antique center and then into a medieval town. Diocletian’s Palace is probably the most important historical and architectural complex of the city of Split, and its value nowadays by far surpasses local significance. Architect Vicko Andrić, the first conserver from Split, studied at the Accademia di San Luca (1812-1816) led by sculptor Antonio Canova. Apart from his study of architecture, at the time of his stay in Rome Andrić was also dedicated to archaeology, particularly to studying and preserving antique buildings which were being excavated, preserved and scrutinized at that time in Rome. Of numerous papers and functions it should be mentioned that in 1821 he was Technical Manager of the excavations in Solin. In 1846 he made photographs of the excavation plan for the museum’s director Frane Lanza.
Based on an idea of Marshal Marmont, in 1857 Andrić made a project according to which the lean-to houses should have been torn down and the cellar of the Palace cleaned up. The project was not implemented due to the interests of certain citizens, differences of opinions and a lack of funds. Apart from the clean-up of the southern front of the Palace, the project foresaw the construction of a bulky hotel, which would create the financial preconditions for the maintenance of the Palace.
Past generations took care of individual cultural monuments, especially the most valuable ones, and due to their honorable endeavors numerous buildings were preserved. Kukuljević, Kandler, Bulić, as well as Szabo and Karaman fought in the first place against the ignorance of the masses, always pointing to the historical and artistic value of the buildings. It should be pointed that only the affirmation of these values granted the threatened buildings the right to live, because only on behalf of these values could conservation and restoration works be undertaken, guided by the wish to prevent and slow down further decay and to eliminate the degradation caused by the dilapidated condition of materials, dampness, rust and worminess.
When talking about the revitalization of historic centers as well as monument facilities, the problem of their participation in present life and the interest of modern man arise. Speaking of the revitalization of historic centers that were degraded in the course of time, the most common problem is that interventions on certain buildings change their original function. The most famous and, with reference to expertise, also the best interventions undertaken at Diocletian’s Palace are part of such revitalization. What we have in mind are two medieval housing facilities transformed into cultural institutions. But we can ask a question if it is a problem, whether the entire historical part of Diocletian’s Palace may be revitalized in that way, by thoroughly changing the actual content of the premises? We may claim with certainty that the consequence of systematic changes to content in historical centers would lead to a new form of devastation. The revitalization of certain historical centers is impossible, unless simple housing and other content be renovated, and unless the interest of the citizens in such zones and areas be taken into consideration. The aim of the debate that is going on in the press is to save Diocletian’s Palace from inappropriate restoration, for last but not least... “If no actions are undertaken, soon there will be nothing that deserves to be saved” (Lewis Mumford).
Ključne riječi
Diocletian’s Palace; revitalization; protection of historic monuments; historical heritage
Hrčak ID:
799
URI
Datum izdavanja:
16.6.2003.
Posjeta: 3.644 *