Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.17018/portal.2015.4
The Chapel and Square of St. Lawrence in Cirkovljan
Marijana Korunek
; Ministarstvo kulture, Uprava za zaštitu kulturne baštine, Konzervatorski odjel u Varaždinu, Varaždin, Hrvatska
Branka Marciuš
; Međimurje Museum in Čakovec, Čakovec, Croatia
Josip Kovač
; Service for Cultural Heritage Protection Inspection Activities, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence is situated in the centre of Cirkovljan, on the village square of the same
name. The central area of the village, St. Lawrence Square, is defined by the historical traffic corridors that connected the centre of Cirkovljan with the surrounding towns and villages.
By analyzing the available documentation and the building, we can argue that the sanctuary of St. Lawrence’s Chapel was built during the second half or even in the late 15th century. On the original cornice of the sanctuary, i.e. on top of its former buttresses, there are still preserved four exquisite late medieval roundly carved heads. The sanctuary was originally supported by five exterior buttresses. At the time it was constructed, the chapel must have had a nave, but based on the results of archaeological investigations it was concluded that the existing nave had originated at a later date, probably during the 16th or the 17th century. The nave was originally lower that the sanctuary, which can be explained by the fact that it was not vaulted but had a wooden ceiling, which made it unnecessary for the walls to be higher. In the second phase, the ceiling was raised, becoming level with the height of the sanctuary. In the third phase, most probably during the construction of the existing vaults, the walls of both the nave and the sanctuary were raised to its present height. The sacristy originated in the first phase, most probably at the same time as the sanctuary, only it was shorter at that time, i.e., it was adjacent only to the sanctuary wall. During the second half of the 18th century, most probably in 1784, the sacristy was expanded to the west, and the new floor was constructed with the gallery open toward the sanctuary. The chapel got its present–day appearance relatively late, between 1813 and 1822, when a bell tower was erected on its west front.
So far only the most basic work was carried out that was necessary due to the poor condition the building. This included the draining systems that were installed to reduce the level of capillary moisture and waters from the roof, construction improvement of the sacristy, basic repairs of the facade, and painting. In the course of working on the ground next to the chapel foundations, protective archaeological investigations were carried out that produced insights relevant for reconstructing the appearance and the dating of various portions of the chapel. The most important are, of course, the foundations of the buttresses that were previously only suggested from the design of the chapel exterior.
Much more comprehensive efforts were made in the chapel surroundings and on St. Lawrence Square. Firstly, the existing fence around the chapel was improved, as it was worn out due to poor and inappropriate maintenance, and even physically injured in some portions. This was followed by the renovation of the space surrounding the chapel – the village square of St. Lawrence. The main purpose of these efforts was defined by the necessity to improve the existing condition of the village centre, set up new traffic circulation, and install a new paving, which would see the square thoroughly altered, functionally redesigned and modernized.
A settlement’s historical setting, primarily its exteriors such as streets and squares, hold special significance for the residents, as it is these that form and keep the familiar image of the place in the local memory. Within the historical spatial morphology of Cirkovljan, St. Lawrence Square makes for the most important and lively point in the village, a unique space that determines its identity and sets it apart from similar localities that originated from the same spatial–geographical and cultural–historical context of the Međimurje region. The quality of that image owes much to the extent of renovation, presentation, decoration and maintenance of its exterior areas which, together with the preserved structure of the historical buildings, testify to the cultural, spiritual and technical level of the community that has created them. A great misunderstanding occurs when an attempt is made to subsequently “enrich” that space by introducing uncritically too great a number of sculptures and fixtures, which is what the local community and the parish have done without consulting the relevant conservation authorities.
Keywords
Međimurje; Cirkovljan; St. Lawrence; chapel; square; settlement
Hrčak ID:
149921
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2015.
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