Original scientific paper
RAKOVEC (ROKONUK) AS THE CENTRAL ESTATE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Franjo Pajur
; Gradišće / Austrija
Abstract
Castrum Rokonuk was established as one of the defence points in the castrum system along one of the routes of the most important medieval Slavonian traffic direction connecting Pannonia with the Adriatic Sea, the military road also known as King Koloman's Road. The following facts were the most important in choosing the specific location: 1) adequate distance from Križevci and Zagreb (each at an approximate half-way distance), 2) available source of drinking water, the medieval product of strategic importance, 3) avoiding the swampy area southwest of Vrbovec. This defence castrum with the nearby area became comitatus castri (terra Rokonuc) ruled by the district perfect in the name of the ban, duke or king; for example, in 1244 it was Vognislav. In 1245 Bela the IVth presented the estate as a gift to Abram and Nikola, i.e. to Toma and Bartol, sons of the district perfects Nikola and Toma, and their descendants went under the adjective surname of Rakovečki (de Rokonok). During the 14th century the market town (oppidum) was developed in the outskirts, and the estate, together with the town, became the property of the Medvedgrad estate-owners. Owing to the described significant traffic direction, as well as to the connections with Medvedgrad, Rakovec became the central estate in the area and gradually brought together the nearby estates: land of the king's swine-herds called Lonja, Dulepska land, and Vrbovec. In the middle of the 16th century the Turks destroyed the market town and in 1554 only 15 homes remained (in 1500 the number was 115!). When direct danger from the Turks ceased, as well as detachment from Medvedgrad, the importance of the medieval Koloman's road Rakovec track decreases, the Vrbovec direction gains in importance, and gradually Vrbovec becomes the central place in the area.
Keywords
Rakovec; castrum, terra, oppidum; middle ages
Hrčak ID:
171214
URI
Publication date:
30.11.2016.
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