The Earthquake in the Đakovo Region in 1964: The Damaging and Reconstruction of the Cathedral of St Peter in Đakovo

Abstract

Based on the accessible archival material and contemporaneous press, this paper address the consequences of the earthquake that struck the area of Slavonia in 1964 and caused great material damage. The introductory part offers an overview of the damage in the Osijek District and Đakovo Municipality, and basic data on the damage to religious buildings. The central part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of the consequences of the earthquake and the reconstruction of the Cathedral of St Peter in Đakovo. The efforts to restore the cathedral and repair the damage suffered in World War II had begun not long before the earthquake struck. The reconstruction process was led by the Cathedral Chapter, the then-established Cathedral Reconstruction Committee, and Bishop Stjepan Bäuerlein, who sent numerous petitions to the state authorities, attempting to secure the financial aid necessary for the reconstruction efforts. Through their diligence, work, and contacts with representatives of the government, and with the help of domestic and foreign charity institutions, they made it possible for the reconstruction work on the cathedral to be successfully completed years later. The numerous donations of believers, priests, and bishops from the country and abroad must also be mentioned. They played an important role in enabling the Cathedral in Đakovo to achieve an appearance worthy of one of the most representative sacral buildings of the 19^th century.