Review article
https://doi.org/10.32004/k.56.3-4.3
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PARTICULARS OF THE ZAGREB CATHEDRAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE ON MARCH 22, 2020
Tomica Plukavec
; Ured za kulturna dobra Zagrebačke nadbiskupije / Muzej bl. Alojzija Stepinca, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
SUMMARY
Specifics of the Zagreb Cathedral damage caused by the earthquake on March 22, 2020, are analyzed in the paper through a historic and cultural overview. The Cathedral was built to fascinate with its height numerous believers and the regular curious. The Zagreb Cathedral is considered a symbol of the Croatian people; it is the largest sacral building and one of the most valuable monuments of Croatia’s cultural heritage. It is the first and the most significant Gothic building of Croatia, as well as the most monumental Gothic sacral building southeast of the Alps. Among numerous stone lace decorations, statues, and coats of arms on the facade, there are markings of Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. According to the stamper of the Canon of Zagreb from the 13th and 14th century, at the very beginning the Cathedral had two towers. During history it survived through rough times, various misfortunes, wars, fires, and earthquakes. With each disastrous episode, it lost a part of its splendor and in one of them – the north tower. After the renovation following the strong earthquake that hit Zagreb at the beginning of November 1880, it was given a Neo-Gothic appearance with two slender bell towers. It was damaged once again in the 2020 earthquake. The tips of the bell towers were shortened, and the Cathedral lost the “title” of the highest church in this part of Europe. Many of its walls have cracked, significant artistic elements are damaged, parts of statues and paintings have been disassembled and deposited, conserved, or covered by wooden boards. The same as 140 years ago, the Holy Eucharist is being held in the Parish Church of St. Mary at Dolac. However, in the end, when it is re-opened as the most famous cultural monument of the City of Zagreb, the Cathedral will again become the place of visitation for hundreds of thousands of believers and tourists, the place of prayer and the place of pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac.
Keywords
: Zagreb Cathedral; earthquake; damages; culture; works of art
Hrčak ID:
315249
URI
Publication date:
5.11.2023.
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