Churches with Elements of Romanesque and Gothic in Donje Polje in the East of the Former Medieval Šibenik District

Abstract

In the historical area of Šibenik’s Donje Polje (Campus Inferior, Campo di sotto) and its immediate surroundings, in the eastern part of the former Šibenik district, medieval churches can be found that exhibit a combination of certain Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. These include the churches of St. Mary, Our Lady of Griblje, St. Lawrence in Donje Polje, and St. Michael in Vršine. They were first mentioned in 1941 by Krsto Stošić in his book Sela šibenskog kotara, although his primary focus was not on their artistic and architectural features. All of these churches are depicted on the earliest known map of part of northern and central Dalmatia from the early 16th century, preserved in the State Archives of Venice. It should be noted, however, that archival historical research on Šibenik’s medieval architectural heritage is generally hindered by the destruction of the majority of the oldest municipal records during the catastrophic Venetian attack on Šibenik in 1378 and the devastating fire in the city centre a few years later, in 1381. For some of the medieval churches with Romanesque and Gothic elements in the eastern part of the Šibenik district, it appears justified—based on the analysis of the available historical archival material—to assume that they were constructed in the 14th century, similarly to comparable churches in the Zadar area studied by Emil Hilje. Based on the current condition of the buildings, as well as the state of research, it is not possible to identify specific Šibenik characteristics in the construction of medieval churches with Romanesque and Gothic elements that would be applicable at least to medieval Dalmatia, and any attempt to establish a typology currently seems unpromising. A definitive answer to questions regarding the construction phases, development, and stylistic features of medieval churches in the Šibenik district will be provided by archaeological and conservation-restoration research.