Original scientific paper
Urban development of Varaždin suburbs during the 17th century [Summary]
Višnja Burek
Abstract
After the defence system of the town of Varaždin was built during the 15th and 16th centuries, its suburban areas became separated from the town nucleus around which they had so far been developing. The earth ramparts, moats and walls now separated the inner town from its suburbs and thus influenced their urbanisation until the beginning of the 19th century. The urban development of the suburbs was also affected by numerous fires, wars and other calamities. As the purchase contracts entered in the town records mention a large number of suburban streets and their inhabitants, it is possible to analyse the intensity of trading activity relative to buying and selling houses and plots, and thus to follow the urban development of the suburbs. In the 17th century their urban spatial structure and their communication structure were formed, which can still be seen in today's street network. Most incomers settled in the areas around the main communication axes and around newly formed focal points and locations of importance for inhabitants' lives. The northern suburb was formed along the northern communication axis, the old Roman via magna, which had been connecting the settlements by the river Drava with Central Europe for centuries. Along this road, to the north of the fortress, Ciglenica developed as a place where fairs were held. The southern suburbs, Platea regali and platea Sancti Viti, were formed by the Lower gate, the southern entrance to the town, and around the church of St. Vid. At the same time, after the construction of the town walls Milički konec and Poklečan were completely disconnected from the inner town, with which they had up to then constituted a functional single entity, and this led to their stagnation. The evidence of buying and selling houses and plots in the second half of the 17th century shows that Varaždin suburbs were urbanised areas, their spatial structure was formed and they had an established communication structure and possibilities to expand. With the urban development of the area along via fossata ambiens, the road bypassing the town walls, all preconditions were set to interconnect the suburbs and after the town walls had been pulled down at the beginning of the 19th century, those suburban areas were harmoniously reconnected with the inner town.
Keywords
Varaždin; suburb; house; plot; garden; street; moat; urbanization
Hrčak ID:
85406
URI
Publication date:
18.8.2011.
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