Prethodno priopćenje
https://doi.org/10.17018/portal.2025.6
New Traces of Medieval Structures of the Zagreb Cathedral
Miroslav Jelenčić
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod, Odjel za zidno slikarstvo i mozaik
Krasanka Majer Jurišić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3157-9230
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod, Služba za nepokretnu baštinu
Sažetak
Conservation and restoration research on the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Stephen and Ladislaus in Zagreb that was conducted in 2022 and 2023 by a team from the Croatian Conservation Institute has resulted in new findings from earlier phases of construction. Considering that the current cathedral is largely the result of stylistic restoration carried out by Herman Bollé, often described in professional circles as radical, it was assumed that the possibility of interpreting the cathedral’s architectural layers had been significantly hindered, if not completely erased. However, it has now been discovered that, in addition to preserved and presented older structures and decorative elements, some features remain hidden beneath the Neo-Gothic layer. These findings are significant, because they supplement the sparse historical records and enhance our understanding of the cathedral’s past. It is important to note that systematic archaeological research would certainly further expand our knowledge regarding the early construction phases and associated functions of the Zagreb cathedral as the centre of the Diocese. Therefore, proposals for such investigations, at least on a limited scale, should continue to be put forward.
Alongside restoration and structural probing, together with stratigraphic and stylistic analyses, the research incorporated historical data from archival sources and literature, as well as old visual material. The material discovered was also subjected to laboratory analysis to determine the composition, type and layering, and in some cases an approximate period of origin. All of this is crucial for a better understanding of specific parts of the cathedral. There were new discoveries about the sacristy and treasury, columns, vaults and walls of the cathedral, including the apses, stairway towers and sanctuary. Findings also extended to the main façade and bell towers, leading to a clearer definition of the preserved structures dating from the founding of the diocese in the late 11th to mid-13th centuries, particularly recognizing major changes undertaken during the time of Bishop Stephen II and before the Tatar invasions. It was confirmed that the cathedral was not completely destroyed during this period, but merely damaged. Major reconstruction took place under Bishop Timotheus at the end of the 13th century. As part of the comprehensive redesign of the eastern section, a new three-apse nave with a sanctuary and towers with staircases was built, the sacristy was re-vaulted and painted, and the upper floor above it was remodelled. The sequence of construction and vaulting of all three naves of the present-day cathedral has also been clarified, a process that took place from the 14th to the 15th century, up until the time of Bishop Eberhard and Ivan Alben. This work also presents the discovery of numerous graffiti in the stairways of the towers near the sanctuary, parts of a medieval gallery structure between the bell towers, and traces of a choir loft predating the current one, of the late 19th century. Attention was once again drawn to the former structure of the triforium above the side aisles.
We still know little about the medieval phase of the Zagreb cathedral, which lasted until the 17th century, when the cathedral was again damaged in major fires. Much of the subsequent reconstruction was led by master builder Ivan Alberthal, yet the earlier spatial and design concept was largely retained until the late-19th-century restoration. Today, we also somehow lack a clear idea of what the cathedral looked like in these earlier periods, making it all the more important to consider the possibility of presenting some of the preserved elements in future restorations. This primarily includes the oldest construction elements (windows at the ground level of the sacristy, parts of the treasury, stonework of the western wall at the base of the north bell tower, graffiti, old stone ribs with masons’ marks, newly-discovered medieval capitals, old façade elements and a medieval window beneath the current choir loft floor, lower zones of the sanctuary and apsidal ends of the side aisles, and potentially old brick vaulting with its original colouring, as well as the original paintwork of carved stone elements), all of which must be carefully preserved. Presenting these findings would not conflict with the 19th-century restoration solutions, but could instead be stylistically and chromatically harmonized to create a cohesive whole.
Ključne riječi
Zagreb; Kaptol; Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Stephen and Ladislaus; Middle Ages; early modern period; architecture; conservation and restoration research
Hrčak ID:
341859
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.12.2025.
Posjeta: 363 *