Professional paper

ORIENTATION OF EARLY CROATIAN CHURCHES IN DALMATlA

Stanko Piplović ; HR- 21000, SPLIT, Ul. Sedam Kaštela 2

Abstract

From time immemorial Christian churches were constructed with their altars facing the east due to liturgical reasons. In the 8th century this became the rule in the West. However, in practice it was not strictly obeyed. The departure from this can be seen in early Medieval churches on the eastern Adriatic coast. The number and extent of this departure varies greatly. This phenomenon has not been systematically researched although some scholars have noticed it and marginally mentioned it in their works. Without any deep analysis some of the following reasons have been suggested: the use of old Roman buildings for new purposes, in the ancient belief that the Adriatic coast stretch es in an east-west direction, in local urbanistic and topographic conditions, in the arrangement of religious services, etc. But nothing has ever been confirmed by strong arguments.
In order to define and explain this phenomenon a sample of some 70 churches has been studied. The lack of reliable data caused great difficulties and conditioned the result. It was established that over half of the churches were in the right direction or with an insignificant departure from the geographical east. Among those which do depart the largest number (41 %) face, south-east, and those facing north amount to only 7%.
When checking earlier theses it became evident that none stood on firm ground. The main reason for departing from the rule seems to lie in the fact that instead of sticking to the geographical east ancient builders chose that spot on the horizon where the sun rose in the morning. Since in the course of a year, from summer to winter solstice this spot varies, the amplitude for these parts of Croatia is 34° north and south which is the main reason for the different orientation of early Medieval churches in relation to the points of the compass.
To date, works have not paid due attention to precisely measuring the direction of each church, therefore, the results are not complete. That is why there is a need for a precise technical survey of the ground plans and measurement of azimuth of church axes in order to provide a firm basis for further research.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

93883

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/93883

Publication date:

19.12.1995.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 6.492 *