Original scientific paper
The Wasserburg at Ribnik — an unfinished Project by Bernardin Frankopan
Drago Miletić
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod Zagreb
Abstract
The Wasserburg at Ribnik is a picturesque monument, currently deserted and not in use. Previous students have offered various interpretations of its origin and growth. This exploration has established the time of its construction, and identified two separate building campaigns. The earlier phase of the castle is linked to Bernardin Frankopan, the most powerful noblemen of Croatia of his time, who started the building of an ambitiously conceived wasserburg at the end of the 15'" century, most likely to transfer the old family seat from Ozalj to the newly erected Ribnik. After the heavy defeat of Croatian
forces by the Turks in the Battle of Krbava in 1493, construction of the expensive and luxurious building had been suspended, as the funds available were transferred to defense against the Turks — to purchasing of arms, and hiring of soldiers. By that date only the circular defense wall on the ground and second story levels had been completed, the ground and second floor of a keep had been started on the eastern side, and, to its north, a pentagonal structure housing the entrance to the castle had been laid out. On the opposite, western side, a pentagonal tower leans against the defense wall, of which the ground, second, and third floor had been completed. Those sections of the castle have retained many fortification details (the entrance area and the ground floor of the pentagonal tower); a series of details within the defense wall indicate the inner disposition as it had been envisaged by the Frankopans. Those help locate two kitchen areas (north and
south), a chapel, and a»palas«(residential quarters) of the Frankopans (along the western and northern section of the wall), as well as clerks' and servants' quarters (along the southern wall). An especially interesting feature are the six toilets set within the 3.5 meters thick defense wall, four of them in the west, one in the north, and one in the south. There are three types, the most »sumptuous«being an»L«shaped toilet, with an antechamber receiving light thorough a window, and a door within a stone frame, while another door gives access to a deep rectangular room at the end of which there is the toilet seat and a niche for a light. Judging from the walls above, one can conclude that a similar arrangement was planned for the upper story. The powerful walls served as a refuge for the people during the Turkish raids of the 16th century. This was followed by a gradual rebuilding campaign, including buildings with wooden porches. Those post-Frankopan additions are rather crude ref lecting the state of affairs during the insecure and hard times of Croatia's defense against the Turks. The original eastern entrance to the castle was closed, and a new was one opened in the north having a chain bridge leading to the second story. A larger, horse-cart entrance was opened at the south in the 19'" century.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
147900
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2002.
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