Review article

The Ground Plans of Franciscan-type Churches in Istria and on the Islands in the Kvarner Bay Constructed between the mid 13th Century and the End of the 16th Century: Their Origins, Development and Continuity

Damir Demonja orcid.org/0000-0002-4186-5137 ; Institute for Development and International Relations, IRMO Ljudevita Farkaša Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

In studying eleven, on the whole, well preserved Franciscan churches in Istria (Pula, Poreč and Pazin) and on the islands of the Kvarner Bay (Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Rab and Pag), constructed up until the end of the 16th century, their typological classification was established. It was shown that these churches were of a simple shape, a rectangular
positioned nave prism, a clear mass defined by walls with minimally open windows and a very separate quadrangular apse. All these churches had one nave and one apse, with the exception of the Church of Saint Francis in Pula, a sanctuary which has three apses, and the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pazin, which has a three-sided apse with externally vaulted buttresses, and show a simple spatial articulation achieved through two spatial units: a higher and wider nave and a lower and narrower apse.
In this paper, a review of the floor plans of Franciscan type churches in Istria and on the islands of the Kvarner Bay, constructed up until the end of the 16th century, will be made. The historical-spatial framework of their development will be illustrated, their significance in the area and region will be shown, the way their mass was formed (construction), the names of the known master builders from archival documents will be listed, a discussion of the churches that were studied will be made, and their development and continuity from
the mid 13th century up until the end of the 16th century will be presented. Particular attention will be given to the original Franciscan-type churches built in central Italy, in Umbria and Tuscany. They are the birthplace of the new spiritual movement led by the so-called mendicant orders, among which were Franciscans, whose ideals and ideas formed the basis for the principles of the church’s construction. In this way, it will be possible to see the development, influences, reach and differences in Franciscan churches built up until the end of the 16th century in the researched region, as opposed to the Italian ones, more clearly. The analyses undertaken will show the common features and regional characteristics of the Franciscan churches studied, will reveal their role and significance as sacral architectural
heritage, and show why they hold an important place in national historical art.

Keywords

Franciscan churches; Istria; islands of the Kvarner Bay; central Italy; analysis; origin; development; continuity

Hrčak ID:

192217

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/192217

Publication date:

13.11.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.263 *