Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/ygjwrcpwny
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VIA MAGNA ROUTE BETWEEN VARAŽDIN AND KRIŽEVCI
JERE DRPIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0003-2857-6223
Abstract
Via Magna, is a road mentioned by a grant from the 13th century, as communication
that connects the cities of Varaždin and Križevci via Kozji Hrbet. Due to the
attribute of the Magna, most authors assume its possible ancient origin, which so
far has not been possible to concretely investigate based on material remains of
the route itself, nor based on historical sources, due to lack of them. Therefore,
to gain new scientific knowledge about this road and its route, ie to investigate
the presumed ancient origin, we concentrated on 3 essential points the Via Magna
route connected; Varaždin, Kozji Hrbet, and Križevci, by focusing on spatial analysis
of their geo-traffic potential in optimal connectivity of space. Namely, the paper is
based on the assumption that this medieval road layered the earlier Roman road
route due to its exceptional importance according to it’s name. Because of that,
it is assumed that 3 essential points would be connected by an optimal corridor
according to the principles of Roman practicalism, which enabled the most economical
(preferably straight) connection, marking important points in space (ancient
settlements), while enabling traffic even on the hilly section of the route (Kalnik;
Kozji Hrbet), as important characteristics of Roman roads whose transport potential
could be inherited in the Middle Ages, and therefore named Magna. Therefore, in
lowland areas, we assumed the use of straight, linear tracing between key points,
while in the context of tracing mountainous areas, we assumed that the optimal
slope of the terrain played the most important role in the tracing strategy. To investigate
the previous assumptions, we used a geographic information system as a
tool, within which we mapped available data relevant to the subject communication
and then spatially analyzed it, based on digital relief models. In doing so, we
applied the so-called Least Cost Path analysis, for calculating optimal routes in mountainous
areas, and the points to path method, to determine the potential of linear
connectivity in the lowland area, between key points. The results of this research
show that the optimal route between Varaždin and Križevci marks the Roman period
sites, which supports the presumption that the Romans constructed and used it,
while Kozji Hrbet shows qualities of the key mountain pass for tracing the optimal
road from Varaždin to Križevci that can be crossed with animal carriages. Also, the
previously assumed, in a geo-traffic and geostrategic sense, significant position of
the ancient Aquae Iasae, in this research is exactly confirmed and marked. Based
on the generated data, we, therefore, proposed the route of the Via Magna road and thus the "archaeological corridor" within which it is most realistic to expect
possible material remains of this medieval road in the future, which we can say
illustrates the presumed ancient origin according to all the given parameters.
Keywords
Roman roads; Via Magna; GIS; spatial analysis; Kozji Hrbet; Križevci; Varaždin; Aquae Iasae; Least Cost Path analysis.
Hrčak ID:
289707
URI
Publication date:
28.12.2022.
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