St. Michael's Fortress (Croatian: Tvrđava sv. Mihovila; Venetian: Castel vecchio; formerly known as St. Anne's Fortress) is a medieval fort in Šibenik, Šibenik-Knin County, Croatia, situated on a steep hill above the old historic center of the city. Its strategically favorable and dominant position made it the central part of Šibenik fortification system. The location was more or less continuously occupied since the Iron Age, as is witnessed by numerous archaeological findings from the era.[1] The city of Šibenik was first mentioned on 25 December 1066 in a charter signed by KingPeter Krešimir IV and verified by his courtiers. It is widely considered that the signing took place at St. Michael's Fortress.[2]
St. Michael's Fortress was named after the oldest church in Šibenik, St. Michael's church, which was located inside its walls.[3] One theory suggests that the church was built during the first wave of Christianization of Croatia, from the late 8th to the early 9th century.[4] The first source that mentions St. Michael's church is a 12th/13th century hagiographic text Vita beati Ioannis episcopi et confessoris Traguriensis.[5] During the Venetian rule, an unflattering name castel vecchio (old castle) was commonly used.[6] The miraculous image of Madonna of the Castle, highly revered by the citizens of Šibenik, was originally kept inside St. Michael's church.[7] In 1663, the church, along with a large part of the fortress, was destroyed when a lightning strike caused an explosion of a gunpowder magazine.[8] During the renovation, a statue of St. Anne (the protector from storms) was brought to a small 16th-century church located below the southeastern walls of the fortress.[9] This church came to be known as St. Anne's church, and the surrounding area became the city graveyard in 1828.[10] As the centuries passed, and the fortress got permanently closed as a military facility, the citizens of Šibenik began calling it St. Anne's Fortress, after the often-used public area nearby.
Map of Šibenik 1575
Architecture and history
The importance of the fortress is evident not only in its favorable geographical position, but also in numerous archaeological findings, ranging from the Iron Age to 20th century. Throughout history, the fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Most of the fortress' structures can be dated to the early years of Venetian occupation, the early 15th century, but its numerous adaptations and interventions can be traced to mid-16th, early and mid-17th, mid-18th, and even early 19th centuries.[11] As is typical for military architecture, St. Michael's Fortress contains only a few stylistically distinctive parts, for instance, the Gothic arch above the main entrance gate. The walls of the fortress are decorated with several coats of arms belonging to the city rectors or fortress' castellans that carried out certain construction works. Access to water, a key requirement of military life, was enabled via two cisterns that have been preserved to this day.[12] Other supporting structures, such as barracks, storage rooms and other facilities, have not been preserved. The fortress consists of several elements: a castle/citadel, the northern and southern faussebraye, a lower western platform (place-of-arms), and the extending double walls that descend to the sea and were used for retreat or for providing supplies for the soldiers. At the end of the 11th century, Šibenik was referred to as a castrum.[13] An 1116 report on the military campaign of Venetian Doge Ordelafo Faliero stated that the Doge had destroyed this "impregnable fort".[14] During the High Middle Ages, the Archangel Michael became the dominant iconographic symbol of the Šibenik commune.[15] In 1378, Venetian admiral Vettore Pisani failed to take over the fortress, succeeding however in conquering and setting fire to the rest of the city and its archives.[16] In 1412, after a three-year siege, the city of Šibenik fell under the rule of the Venetian Republic and remained its part for a little less than four hundred years. Under the terms of the peace treaty, the fortress was to be demolished, but after only a year or two, the citizens asked their new government to fund its renovation.[17] The double walls (strada del soccorso) were formed in the first decades of Venetian rule to ensure the safety of Venetian garrison.[18] During the long rule of the republic, the city's fortification system was reinforced with additional objects, Barone Fortress, St. John's Fortress and St. Nicholas' Fortress. St. Michael's fortress was badly damaged in two explosions in 1663 and 1752, and due to its lesser importance in the city defense, it has never been fully rebuilt. The last interventions were made by the Austrian army in 1832.[19] A signal station on the southeastern tower was constructed in 1911 to direct naval traffic through St. Anthony's Channel.[20]
St. Michael's Fortress stage
Revitalization project
St. Michael's Fortress was revitalized through an EU-funded project worth €1.67 million, and re-opened in July 2014. Just four months later, it won the national Cultural Attraction of the Year Award.[21] Since the opening, its open-air summer stage has become an important part of Šibenik's cultural life. Today, it is the second most-visited heritage monument of Šibenik, as well as the second most-visited fortification object in Croatia.
View of southern Šibenik from St. Michael's Fortress
References
^Zlatko Gunjača, O kontinuitetu naseljavanja na području Šibenika i najuže okolice, Šibenik: spomen zbornik o 900. obljetnici, Šibenik City Museum, 1976: 38.
^Slavo Grubišić, Šibenik kroz stoljeća, Šibenik, Muzej grada Šibenika, 1976: 9-11.
^This church was considered the oldest in Šibenik even in the 17th century, Franjo Difnik, Povijest Kandijskog rata u Dalmaciji, Split, Književni krug, 1986, 273.
^"Josip Pavić zaključio da je Šibenik stariji od 950 godina, pred prepunom dvoranom pojasnio je i zašto". Sibenik.in. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
^Slavo Grubišić, Šibenik kroz stoljeća, Šibenik, Muzej grada Šibenika, 1976: 15.
^As is seen in several graphic sources, e.g. Coronelli.
^Danko Zelić, Postanak i urbani razvoj Šibenika u srednjem vijeku (PhD diss), 1999: 161.
^Franjo Difnik, Povijest Kandijskog rata u Dalmaciji, Split, Književni krug, 1986, 273.
^Probably after a reputed miraculous event in 1530; Danko Zelić, Postanak i urbani razvoj Šibenika u srednjem vijeku (PhD diss), 1999: 162.
^"Šibenik sv. Ana". Sebenico.com. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
^Šime Ljubić, Listine o odnošajih između južnoga Slavenstva i Mletačke republike, X (1891), Zagreb, Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti: 33-34.
^Apud castrum Sibenico" – the authenticity of the source is doubtful. Codex diplomaticus regni Croatiae, Dalmatiae et Slavoniae, vol. I (1967), Zagreb, Tiskara izdavačkog zavoda JAZU: 189
^Danko Zelić, Postanak i urbani razvoj Šibenika u srednjem vijeku (PhD diss), 1999: 35.
^Evidenced by the archangel's image on the earliest city seals in 13th and 14th century.
^Slavo Grubišić, Šibenik kroz stoljeća, Šibenik, Muzej grada Šibenika, 1976: 28.
^Šime Ljubić, Listine o odnošajih između južnoga Slavenstva i Mletačke republike, VII (1882), Zagreb, Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti: 233.
michael, fortress, Šibenik, michael, fortress, croatian, tvrđava, mihovila, venetian, castel, vecchio, formerly, known, anne, fortress, medieval, fort, Šibenik, Šibenik, knin, county, croatia, situated, steep, hill, above, historic, center, city, strategically. St Michael s Fortress Croatian Tvrđava sv Mihovila Venetian Castel vecchio formerly known as St Anne s Fortress is a medieval fort in Sibenik Sibenik Knin County Croatia situated on a steep hill above the old historic center of the city Its strategically favorable and dominant position made it the central part of Sibenik fortification system The location was more or less continuously occupied since the Iron Age as is witnessed by numerous archaeological findings from the era 1 The city of Sibenik was first mentioned on 25 December 1066 in a charter signed by King Peter Kresimir IV and verified by his courtiers It is widely considered that the signing took place at St Michael s Fortress 2 St Michael s FortressNative name Croatian Tvrđava sv MihovilaTypeFortressLocationSibenik Croatia Contents 1 Name 2 Architecture and history 3 Revitalization project 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External linksName EditSt Michael s Fortress was named after the oldest church in Sibenik St Michael s church which was located inside its walls 3 One theory suggests that the church was built during the first wave of Christianization of Croatia from the late 8th to the early 9th century 4 The first source that mentions St Michael s church is a 12th 13th century hagiographic text Vita beati Ioannis episcopi et confessoris Traguriensis 5 During the Venetian rule an unflattering name castel vecchio old castle was commonly used 6 The miraculous image of Madonna of the Castle highly revered by the citizens of Sibenik was originally kept inside St Michael s church 7 In 1663 the church along with a large part of the fortress was destroyed when a lightning strike caused an explosion of a gunpowder magazine 8 During the renovation a statue of St Anne the protector from storms was brought to a small 16th century church located below the southeastern walls of the fortress 9 This church came to be known as St Anne s church and the surrounding area became the city graveyard in 1828 10 As the centuries passed and the fortress got permanently closed as a military facility the citizens of Sibenik began calling it St Anne s Fortress after the often used public area nearby Map of Sibenik 1575Architecture and history EditThe importance of the fortress is evident not only in its favorable geographical position but also in numerous archaeological findings ranging from the Iron Age to 20th century Throughout history the fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt several times Most of the fortress structures can be dated to the early years of Venetian occupation the early 15th century but its numerous adaptations and interventions can be traced to mid 16th early and mid 17th mid 18th and even early 19th centuries 11 As is typical for military architecture St Michael s Fortress contains only a few stylistically distinctive parts for instance the Gothic arch above the main entrance gate The walls of the fortress are decorated with several coats of arms belonging to the city rectors or fortress castellans that carried out certain construction works Access to water a key requirement of military life was enabled via two cisterns that have been preserved to this day 12 Other supporting structures such as barracks storage rooms and other facilities have not been preserved The fortress consists of several elements a castle citadel the northern and southern faussebraye a lower western platform place of arms and the extending double walls that descend to the sea and were used for retreat or for providing supplies for the soldiers At the end of the 11th century Sibenik was referred to as a castrum 13 An 1116 report on the military campaign of Venetian Doge Ordelafo Faliero stated that the Doge had destroyed this impregnable fort 14 During the High Middle Ages the Archangel Michael became the dominant iconographic symbol of the Sibenik commune 15 In 1378 Venetian admiral Vettore Pisani failed to take over the fortress succeeding however in conquering and setting fire to the rest of the city and its archives 16 In 1412 after a three year siege the city of Sibenik fell under the rule of the Venetian Republic and remained its part for a little less than four hundred years Under the terms of the peace treaty the fortress was to be demolished but after only a year or two the citizens asked their new government to fund its renovation 17 The double walls strada del soccorso were formed in the first decades of Venetian rule to ensure the safety of Venetian garrison 18 During the long rule of the republic the city s fortification system was reinforced with additional objects Barone Fortress St John s Fortress and St Nicholas Fortress St Michael s fortress was badly damaged in two explosions in 1663 and 1752 and due to its lesser importance in the city defense it has never been fully rebuilt The last interventions were made by the Austrian army in 1832 19 A signal station on the southeastern tower was constructed in 1911 to direct naval traffic through St Anthony s Channel 20 St Michael s Fortress stageRevitalization project EditSt Michael s Fortress was revitalized through an EU funded project worth 1 67 million and re opened in July 2014 Just four months later it won the national Cultural Attraction of the Year Award 21 Since the opening its open air summer stage has become an important part of Sibenik s cultural life Today it is the second most visited heritage monument of Sibenik as well as the second most visited fortification object in Croatia Gallery Edit View of beach Banj and Sibenik sea from St Michael s Fortress View of St Anthony Channel from St Michael s Fortress St Michael s Fortress View of St Michael s Fortress from Barone Fortress View of Sibenik Cathedral and sea from St Michael s Fortress View of southern Sibenik from St Michael s FortressReferences Edit Zlatko Gunjaca O kontinuitetu naseljavanja na podrucju Sibenika i najuze okolice Sibenik spomen zbornik o 900 obljetnici Sibenik City Museum 1976 38 Slavo Grubisic Sibenik kroz stoljeca Sibenik Muzej grada Sibenika 1976 9 11 This church was considered the oldest in Sibenik even in the 17th century Franjo Difnik Povijest Kandijskog rata u Dalmaciji Split Knjizevni krug 1986 273 Josip Pavic zakljucio da je Sibenik stariji od 950 godina pred prepunom dvoranom pojasnio je i zasto Sibenik in 2017 03 23 Retrieved 2017 07 15 Slavo Grubisic Sibenik kroz stoljeca Sibenik Muzej grada Sibenika 1976 15 As is seen in several graphic sources e g Coronelli Danko Zelic Postanak i urbani razvoj Sibenika u srednjem vijeku PhD diss 1999 161 Franjo Difnik Povijest Kandijskog rata u Dalmaciji Split Knjizevni krug 1986 273 Probably after a reputed miraculous event in 1530 Danko Zelic Postanak i urbani razvoj Sibenika u srednjem vijeku PhD diss 1999 162 Sibenik sv Ana Sebenico com Retrieved 2017 07 15 Josip Cuzela Sibenski fortifikacijski sustav Sibenik Gradska knjiznica Juraj Sizgoric 27 74 Sime Ljubic Listine o odnosajih između juznoga Slavenstva i Mletacke republike X 1891 Zagreb Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti 33 34 Apud castrum Sibenico the authenticity of the source is doubtful Codex diplomaticus regni Croatiae Dalmatiae et Slavoniae vol I 1967 Zagreb Tiskara izdavackog zavoda JAZU 189 Danko Zelic Postanak i urbani razvoj Sibenika u srednjem vijeku PhD diss 1999 35 Evidenced by the archangel s image on the earliest city seals in 13th and 14th century Slavo Grubisic Sibenik kroz stoljeca Sibenik Muzej grada Sibenika 1976 28 Josip Cuzela Sibenski fortifikacijski sustav Sibenik Gradska knjiznica Juraj Sizgoric 31 Sime Ljubic Listine o odnosajih između juznoga Slavenstva i Mletacke republike VII 1882 Zagreb Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti 233 Josip Cuzela Sibenski fortifikacijski sustav Sibenik Gradska knjiznica Juraj Sizgoric 43 Protected natural values gt Sibenik Knin County gt Cultural heritage Zasticenapodrucja com Retrieved 2017 07 15 FOTO Tvrđava sv Mihovila kulturna atrakcija godine Najcitaniji portal Sibenika i Sibensko kninske zupanije Sibenskiportal rtl hr 2013 01 24 Retrieved 2017 07 15 External links Edit Tvrđava Sv Mihovila Svmihovil sibenik hr 2015 06 10 Archived from the original on 2019 05 28 Retrieved 2017 07 15 Tvrđava kulture Sibenik Tvrdjava kulture hr Retrieved 2017 07 15 Coordinates 43 44 16 N 15 53 23 E 43 7377 N 15 8896 E 43 7377 15 8896 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Michael 27s Fortress Sibenik amp oldid 1116604225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
