Original scientific paper

DOMINICAN MONASTERY OF SAINT CATHERINE IN SPLIT A SERIES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (2007-2008)

Helga Zglav Martinac ; Muzej grada Splita

Abstract

Keywords

The strategic position and; thus; the importance of the Dominican Monastery of St. Catherine in Split is indisputable. Throughout history; the monastery served as a defensive city shield against external aggressions. It also offered shelter to suburban population that; on several occassions; migrated towards the city and the coast. The results of archeological research activities; that were carried out during the very reconstruction of the monastery; in the period 2007-2008; proved erratic in both quality and quantity. Nevertheless; it is possible to single out the two phases in the monastery history as regards the chronological nature of the research results: a pre-monastery and a monastery phase. The so-called pre-monastery phase refers to the late antique turbulent period of the city community development. According to the data obtained by the research; there used to be a late antique cemetery; even before the monastery had been constructed. The suburban and city population was buried in the cemetery. The typology of an individual burial indicates that the lower class people were buried there. A highly surprising is the fact that there is a large number of young children’s graves (stillborn babies; et al.) A very bad condition of the skeletal remains of the deceased adults indicates their once poor quality of life. The facts revealed in the written documents; that indicate the possible existence of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Chapel; presumably built in the 6th century; help us; researchers; to fill the gaps in a yet untold historical tale. The tale which is yet to be substantiated by an archaeological research. According to Farlati; the monastery complex gradually developed at that particualar location; that is by the east city walls; in the archbishop garden with a well. The developement that started in the first half of the 13th century had several phases; which was substantiated by various archaeological finds. Phase I. The first monastery building (mid-13th-mid-17th century) did not leave many traces; since the very building went through the deconstruction process and its remains; together with the remains of the surrounding buildings; were built in the new defensive city walls. Despite the lack of finds; this first phase of the monastery development is extremely important from the historical point of view. Therefore; the remains of the buildings revealed at the probe 3 location should not be neglected. On the contrary; their significance should be substantiated by future archaeological research of the south nave of the church. Phase II. The second monastery building was presumably constructed in the mid-17th century. The existence of this monumental baroque monastery was substantiated by a large number of movable (ceramic and glass ware; coins; saintly medallions; etc.) and immovable finds (cemetery; monastery remains; water reservoir; etc.); that were revealed in the course of previous research activities. Phase III. This particular phase started in the late 18th century; during the French administration; and has lasted ever since. The phase itself was marked by the general decadence of the Dominican Order; which; on the other hand; was reflected in the diminished number of worthy monks. The construction works that were carried out in 1932/1933 only meant the expansion and monumentalisation of the church building. The so-called true reconstruction process of the monastery started with the renovation of its west wing in 2005. Two years later; the reconstruction works on the entire monastery building were completed. The third Dominican Monastery was inaugurated in 2009

Hrčak ID:

65372

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/65372

Publication date:

27.12.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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