Stručni rad
Diocletian’s Mausoleum between the Two World Wars
Stanko Piplović
Sažetak
During the early Middle Ages but perhaps even as early as late Antiquity Diocletian’s Mausoleum in the city of Split was transformed into a Christian cathedral. A city arose on the place of the one time emperor’s palace. During the centuries the Roman remains and therefore the mausoleum itself underwent numerous changes. By the time of the XIXth century newer edifices had almost obliterated those dating from the Old Era. When systematic exploration of Diocletian’s palace got under way, the most important monuments which had been preserved from the old structure were set free from newer extensions. This practice of clearance continued throughout the period between the two world wars. The chapel of St. Duje was established in a baroque style in the northern niche of the mausoleum. It was built in such a fashion that it jotted out of the wall and partitioned the peripter. Because of this and since it undermined the original appearance, plans were constantly being made to lessen its breadth to the confines of the wall. This was finally implemented in 1925. The Medieval belfry in front of the cathedral was restored and its steps and landings were refurbished. In the XVIIth century a sacristy, covering a number of columns of the peripter, was attached to the southeastern side of the mausoleum. This edifice was demolished and a new one built somewhat to the east. With the growth of the population the cathedral had become too small. The construction of a new one was planned. Different proposals were put forth such as the one which planned construction on the eastern side of the mausoleum so that the existing cathedral would serve as a vestibule. However, these plans came to naught. The interior of the church was also renovated. The problem of lighting was addressed. Instead of gas and candle light which blackened the walls and the art works within the church, electricity was introduced. Grave tablets which had been on the floor were removed so that additional stepping on them would not cause additional damage. The tering down of surrounding cheap houses continued. The basic question in these proceedings was how far to go with this considering the accepted principle which sought to retain the historical center of Split as a whole with all of its layers. The edifice of the old bishopric from the XVIIth century stood on the northern side of the mausoleum. It had already deteriorated so that prolonged discussions were waged whether it ought to be taken down. It was destroyed in the 1924 fire so that the problem was solved. A series of private homes leant on the outer side of the temenos to the South. These were also to be torn down. This was only partially implemented. The peristyle, the central monumental space of Diocletian’s palace, was a major problem. It had been put to inappropriate use. Shop-owners hung up unbecoming ads and thusly defaced it. There were taverns with guests acting in unseemly manners while unruly children created chaos. Many tourists visited the site so that the conservator Frane Bulić frequently urged the Municipality authorities to bring some order to the locality but without too much success. The sculptor Ivan Meštrović decided to make a monument to bishop Grgur from Nin who lived in the Xth century and who had participated in the synods held during his lifetime in the cathedral. The monument was planned to be erected somewhere in the vicinity of the cathedral. Meštrović wanted as location for his monument the peristyle but the conservator Bulić protested against this believing that such a large sculpture would impose itself upon and degrade the antique whole. Sharp polemics developed but the monument was nevertheless mounted in 1929. Works between the two world wars continued to free the mausoleum from the added upon extensions. Parts of the plans were never realized and the space on the northern side was never wholly regulated. Nevertheless all of these undertakings were done with measure and care. After WWII the clearances around the eastern gates of Diocletian’s palace continued. This contributed to the better presentation of the Roman monuments but also to creating unarticulated free spaces without any real function within the very center of a living city.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
12154
URI
Datum izdavanja:
19.9.2002.
Posjeta: 5.594 *