Original scientific paper

THE FOUR WELLS CISTERN IN RENAISSANCE ŠIBENIK

Joško Ćuzela ; Konzervatorski odjel u Šibeniku
Ivo Šprljan ; Konzervatorski odjel u Šibeniku

Abstract

In the Middle Ages, Šibenik was chronically short of water. In the city there was a paucity of structures for water supply, the construction of which was thus promoted by the reformed city statute of the 14th century. At that time there was just a single public water supply feature, a cistern that was built in the area between the town hall and St James Cathedral. Water was brought in from Vodice, but when this became dangerous, the city decided to build, with the help of Venice, a large new cistern. From 1446 a cistern was built that was called “the four-wells cistern”. It was a considerable civil engineering exploit for the 15th century, one undertaken by Jakov Correr of Tranio. The well heads on the terrace of the cistern were made by Juraj Mihajlov of Zadar and Marko Petrov from Apulia. A number of 15th century sources concerning the construction of the large new cistern are extant, and an analysis of them and the state as found shows that the structure has come down to us in its original form with the slightest of modifications. In parallel with the recent renovation of the cistern, investigation operations on the plateau were carried out. They were done from March to June, 2004. When a good deal of the plateau was uncovered, an original paving with red brick in a fish-bone bond was determined, as well as the composition of the layers of the plateau. The arches were made of brick, but in one part of tufa. By gradual probing, the original manner of water filtration was determined. The rainwater was concentrated in the central collection channel, where there were six water filters. More detailed research showed the composition of the characteristic filter, composed of a pool filled with pebbles, and a central circular pool for fine filtration. The well heads were done in circular form on a stone base leaning in towards the well head, the result being that any water spilled would be directed back into the cistern, which was an original manner of saving water around the well head. The well heads were not fixed to the base, only the parts of the well head to each other. The anchors or clamps that kept these parts together were of iron, cut at the ends “cold” for the sake of a better bond with the molten lead. On the plateau seven valuable items of spolia were discovered, on the whole architectural details of unknown structures. The research works were very complex and provided fresh knowledge about the way in which this kind of communal medieval structure in Dalmatia was constructed.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

109733

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/109733

Publication date:

15.8.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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