Prethodno priopćenje
https://doi.org/10.17234/RadoviZHP.56.23
A New Perspective on the Architectural Structure and Fortification Features of the Fortified Town of Steničnjak (Summary)
Matea Jurić Matulić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2986-2838
Krešimir Regan
orcid.org/0000-0002-1457-5126
Sažetak
Steničnjak, a fortified medieval town in Kordun, Croatia, sits on a ridge with steep slopes on three sides near the village of Roknići in Donji Sjeničnjak, 18 km southeast of Karlovac. Despite its significance and considerable size, Steničnjak has historically received limited attention, with its descriptions often reduced to brief summaries without detailed analysis. Recent research, conducted in winter 2021-2022 as part of the project “Topografija srednjovjekovne Zagrebačke županije (14.-16. stoljeće)” funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, aimed to examine the architectural and fortification features of Steničnjak and reconstruct its historical development.
Steničnjak is among the largest fortified towns in Croatia, but its legacy had not been thoroughly examined until recently. This project is focused on providing a comprehensive analysis of Steničnjak’s fortifications. It sought to answer questions about who built the fortress, in what historical context it was constructed and expanded, and how it evolved through the centuries. The study also addressed Steničnjak’s strategic importance during the Middle Ages and early modern period, while acknowledging the limited availability of sources.
The fortress is known by various names in different historical sources, reflecting its changing role over time. In medieval and early modern documents, it’s called Steničnjak, while in later periods, its ruins were known as Sjeničak, named after nearby villages, that derive their names from the fortification’s ruins. Since the 19th century, the site has been referred to as Roknić-gradina, named after the family that owned the ruins during that time.
The research into Steničnjak’s architectural structure and fortifications used archival resources from the Croatian State Archive, the Archdiocesan Archive in Zagreb, and the Hungarian National Archive in Budapest, along with cartographic sources from the Austrian State Archive in Vienna. The study highlighted the significance of Steničnjak in different historical maps dating back to the 16th century and discussed various drawings and photographs depicting Steničnjak, especially from the 19th century when more of its ruins were visible.
Overall, the project provided an in-depth look at Steničnjak’s historical and architectural aspects, contributing to a broader understanding of the fortress and its role in the region’s history. While this research marks a significant step forward, it also points out the need for further archaeological analysis in order to solidify existing conclusions and explore unresolved questions.
Ključne riječi
Steničnjak, architectural complex, fortification, Babonić family, fortified town, Middle Ages
Hrčak ID:
330300
URI
Datum izdavanja:
22.12.2024.
Posjeta: 775 *