Original scientific paper

The Roman lighthouse and old Church of St. Michael on Palagruža

Vedran Barbarić orcid.org/0000-0001-6258-0168 ; University of Split, CROATIA, 21000 Split

Abstract

This work contains a discussion of the exact dating
and reasons for construction of the fort on Vela
Palagruža in Late Antiquity. Archaeological evidence
of the use of this building is contextualized within the
historical circumstances of navigation on the Adriatic
Sea in the 5th century AD. Comparisons to similar architectural
examples are used to discuss the nature of
the fortification’s use as lodgings by crew with the
primary task of maintaining light signalization during
the sailing season on the Adriatic. The historical
circumstances that probably led to the abandonment
of the fortification as a part of a larger but, at the end
of the 5th century, deteriorating maritime system are
presented. The exact location of the first Church of
St. Michael, adapted inside the remains of the Roman
fortification, probably in the 9th century, is discussed.

Keywords

Palagruža; Roman lighthouse; Adriatic long-distance navigation; Classe; St. Michael

Hrčak ID:

193306

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/193306

Publication date:

29.12.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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