Original scientific paper
The Gligo family and their heritage in the period of Neoclassicism
Nataša Bajić-Žarko
Hania Mladineo Mika
Abstract
Gligo is a nickname of the Marinčević family. In historical documents, the surname Marinčević Gligo was first mentioned at the end of the 17th century, and from the middle of the 18th century it was mentioned only as Gligo. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Gligos were known as landowners, seafarers and sailboat owners. They traded wine and oil, not only with Venice, but with Corfu as well. The trade procured economic prosperity to the Gligos, which made them feel economically strong enough to start constructing representative buildings characteristic for their shape and stylistic features.
In the 18th century the Marinčević Gligos built a defence Castle in Bobovišće port which assumed a more economic and rustic function through time. The only historical source which more elaborately described the appearance of the Castle is an agreement on the division of property dating from 1781.
Another grandiose edifice of the late baroque classicism is the Gligo house situated at the western side of the village towards the Bobovišće port. It was built in the first half of the 19th century as a monumental two-storey building with a mansard, whose size and shape represent a very significant example of architecture of the time.
Mate Gligo, the court advisor, gave the Castle its final appearance, reconstructing and refurbishing it in 1884. He lived in the Castle till the day he died. Mate Gligo is the most prominent person from the Gligo family. He was a renowned lawyer and personality not only on the island of Brač and in Dalmatia, but beyond its borders. His travels outside Dalmatia, especially to Italy, influenced his thoughts, cognition and taste. In the ambience of Neoclassicism Mate Gligo built a family tomb at the local cemetery in Bobovišće. The tomb was inspired by the small Roman temple of the Diocletian`s Palace in Split. This construction achievement with overt artistic features has not been hitherto validated or known to wider cultural public. The tomb is shaped like a classic monument, which represents a valuable work of art of the sepulchral architecture with its appearance and proportions.
The members of the Gligo family were seafarers, traders, renowned lawyers, court advisors. Construction legacy they left behind as members of the civic stratum represents a regionally, culturally and historically important heritage.
Keywords
the Gligo family; Bobovišće; family construction achievements; Kaštel; the Gligo house; tomb mausoleum; Mate Gligo; Neoclassicism
Hrčak ID:
99697
URI
Publication date:
25.2.2013.
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