Maps of Power

Marković 2016a

Properties

ID 120078
System Class Bibliography
Bibliography Inbook
Case Study Beyond East and West: Sacred Landscapes Duklja and Raška

Description

Miodrag Marković, Beginnings of artistic activity in the Serbian lands (9th - 11th century), in: Byzantine Heritage and Serbian Art II. Sacral Art of the Serbian Lands in the Middle Ages (eds. D. Vojvodić/D. Popović, Belgrade 2016) 147-163.

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Artifacts (14)
Name Class Description
Church of St. Peter in Zavala, Altar Screen Artifact Among the sculptural remains found during the excavation of the Church of St. Peter in Zavala near Popovo Polje (in the vicinity of Trebinje), the altar screen deserves special attention. The preserved fragments are decorated with three-part ribbon ornaments, and the fragment with depictions of birds is particularly interesting. Most fragments have different geometrical ornaments and images of birds that symbolise the Eucharist. Most scholars date the altar screen to the 9th or 10th century. It is kept in the Museum of Hercegovina in Trebinje.
Ciborium from Kotor Artifact The original ciborium from the Church of St. Tryphon in Kotor dates back probably to the beginning of the 9th century. It was found in secondary use above the door leading to the sacristy of the cathedral. The ciborium is an excellent example of pre-Romanesque sculpture with characteristic interlacing and zoomorphic figures on its arcade, along with an inscription on three sides (the fourth side is considered to be the one built above one of the doors in the building of the neighbouring diocese and it doesn't contain any inscription). We have to emphasise that scholars disagree regarding the fragments of inscriptions, whether or not they belong to the same ciborium. Based on the inscription, some scholars dated this ciborium between 1169 and 1178 (also, L. Mirković believes that the inscription was engraved in the 11th century on a decorated plate of the 9th century). It was probably in the cathedral until the end of the 18th century or the beginning of the 19th century, when it was dismantled due to a reconstruction of the cathedral. Its parts were then built into the walls of the cathedral itself and other surrounding buildings. Also, various solutions of reading and interpretation have been proposed for the Saints mentioned in the inscription on the slab of the ciborium. The new ciborium of the Church of St. Tryphon in Kotor dates around 1362.
Ciborium from Ulcinj Artifact The ciborium from Ulcinj is one of the oldest (partially) preserved ciboriums. It dates back to the beginning of the 9th century. This ciborium stands out for its relief decoration with figural motifs made in the pre-Romanesque style. On the right is an image of a lion devouring a smaller animal, which on its part devours a bird, referring to the invocation of salvation (Psalm 21:22), and on the left is another lion represented above a palm tree. There is also a partially preserved inscription engraved along the frame of the ciborium. The frontal arcade of the ciborium was found in Ulcinj in 1937. The exact location of the find remains unknown. Then, it was transferred to the National Museum in Belgrade. Since then, it has been part of the permanent exhibition of medieval heritage. In 2005, another fragment belonging to the same structure was identified, allowing scholars to conclude that the ciborium had a rectangular structure and was probably positioned above the altar of the church. Apart from the names of the donors inscribed on the ciborium, namely of Gusma and her husband, the inscription mentions two Byzantine Emperors Leo and Constantine, identified as Leo V (reigned 813-820) and his son Constantine (reigned as co-emperor 813-820). This made it possible to date the ciborium and the church to the years 813-820.
Codex Marianus (Marijino četvorojevanđelje) Artifact The Codex Marianus, written in Glagolitic script on parchment, was created at the end of the 10th or the beginning of the 11th century. The manuscript is now kept in the Russian State Library in Moscow (Григ 6, Муз 1689, ф. 87). It is not possible to determine exactly where the manuscript was created (for some it is the Western Serbian regions, presumably Bosnia, others point to the territories near the border with the Republic of North Macedonia), but the latest research points in favour of the Southern Serbian lands, possibly Travunia. It was found on Mount Athos, where it probably arrived in the 14th century, and has been in Russia since 1845. Two folios are kept in the Austrian National Library. The Codex Marianus contains decoration made with pen and ink. It consists of intertwined headpieces and initials. Unusual portraits of the Evangelists, following Byzantine influence from the late 9th and the beginning of the 10th century, deserve special attention.
Island of Mljet, Church of St. Mary, Sculptural Decoration Artifact The small number of preserved pieces of plastic within the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Benedictine monastery in Mljet probably adorned the portal of the chancel. The figures were made in the Romanesque style resembling the monuments of Apulia and date to the 12th century.
Kuti, Church of St. Thomas, Fresco Artifact The remains of frescoes found in the Church of St. Thomas in Kuti date back to the 11th century. Fragments of frescoes reveal several Saints' heads. They were probably made by Byzantine masters, as the similarity can be seen with the painting in the chapel and crypt of the Katholikon of the Monastery of St. Luke in Fokida (Hosios Loukas), but also with the remains of wall painting in the Dubrovnik Cathedral and in St. Nicholas in Koločep. Today, the found fragments are kept in the Regional Museum of Herceg Novi.
Kuti, Church of St. Thomas, Parapet Plate Artifact In the Church of St. Thomas in Kuti were representative carved stone altar parapets in former times, of which the entire parapet plate with the scene of Adoration of the Cross is the only one preserved. It is probably from the last third of the 11th century. The developed figural decoration is distinguished by two stylistic peculiarities - the pre-Romanesque motif of the cross filled with braids woven with a three-part strip, and on the other hand, the innovative shaping of figures and the abandonment of flatness. Today it is kept in the Regional Museum of Herceg Novi..
Martinići, Remains of Sculptural Decoration Artifact Fragments of low-relief sculpture with pre-Romanesque motifs of flowers, three-ribbon interlace, crosses, etc. covering the altar, the ciborium and column capitals were found in the Church of St. Archangel Michael in Martinići. All three naves of the church were decorated with liturgical furniture. The remains of the ciborium, placed above the altar, are similar to those found in Kotor and Ulcinj dated to the 9th century, with motifs of crosses, octagons, stars and oak and ivy leaves. It also shows a resemblance to the decoration found in Zachlumia and Terbounia, which led researchers to believe that masters working on the Adriatic Coast were also active in the heartland of the Balkans. The rood screen (chancel screen, cancellum) is still to be seen in situ (its bases) and numerous fragments decorated with various motifs of plaited plastic remained. The lower zone of the chancel screen of the middle nave had an inscription, of which fragments remain in Latin and Greek. The Greek text that was on the left side was reconstructed by Vojislav Korać (based on the opinion of Sotiris Kissas) in two variants: 1. +.Ο Θ (EO)C TH ΠΡΕC (BEIA).....E TON (Π)ETR(0N)I... 2. + Ο Θ (EO)C TH ΠΡΕC (BEIA)... (ΦYΛATT) E TON (Π)ETR(0N)I... The preserved part of the Latin inscription reads: + (MICH)AEL ET IOH(AN)E DIE.. ....ET GLORIA BEATO MIXAEL AR(CHANGELO):.. .....N.......LIN Remains of the plastic in Martinići are kept in the Regional Museum of Danilovgrad (Montenegro).
Panik, Frescoes Artifact Fragments of frescoes were found during the research of the church in Panik. In question are fragments of heads of Saints with inscriptions in Greek, which could have been done by Byzantine masters. They are probably dated to the 12th century. Today, these fragments of frescoes are kept in the National Museum in Sarajevo.
Rogačići, Archivolt Artifact The preserved archivolt of the ciborium in Rogačići was made in the pre-Romanesque style. Although dated to the 11th century (in earlier literature even dated to the 12th century), the possibility that it was created in an earlier time cannot be ruled out. Fragments of the archivolt were found during the excavation of the six-leafed church in Rogačići, and today they are kept in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.
Ston, Church of Saint Archangel Michael, Frescoes Artifact The wall paintings have been partially preserved on the side walls and in the apse, while smaller fragments were discovered on the vault of the Eastern aisle. In the niche of the Western bay, there is a figure of a ruler with a crown and a model of the church (in Ston) in his hand. It is the most famous fresco which allowed the dating of the church (along with the inscription on the lintel). On the opposite, Southern side, is an image of Saint George, with a sword and a shield in his hand, next to which the inscription (GE)O(R)GIVS is to be found. Above the ruler, only the lower parts of two figures have been preserved, one in a ceremonial robe and the other unclothed and shackled in a humble position. Both are directed towards the West, so it is assumed that it is an image of a sinner and on the Western wall was a scene of the Last Judgment. Some scholars date the frescoes between 1051 and 1081, while others suggest an earlier date (the first half of the 11th century). In recent times, the frescoes have been associated with close examples of Ottonian book illumination and wall painting or Regensburg illuminations from the end of the 10th century (BamStbib, Msc. Lit. 142, f 4v). Nevertheless, the closest analogies are to be found in Byzantine painting of the first half and/or middle of the 11th century in the Southern Italian region of Apulia (such as in the Church of Santa Marina in Muro Leccese or in the crypt near Grottaglia, Gravina di Riggio).
Ston, Church of Saint Archangel Michael, Relief Decoration Artifact In the Church of Saint Archangel Michael in Ston several original pieces of architectural decoration and church furnishing, dated to the 11th century, have been preserved. All openings of the Early Medieval building, that have been preserved, indicate the pre-Romanesque bas-relief style of their frames and the Early Medieval frescoes in the interior, which harmonise the composition with the arrangement of the windows. The relief decoration was made in the pre-Romanesque style (some of the researchers like Jurković and Tomas recognise two chronological layers of the sculpture). The lintel, used in a secondary function as a tombstone, is decorated with three crosses, connected to each other by a two-bar braid. The upper field has an inscription, which has been interpreted and dated differently in historiography. B. Gabričević recognised the verse in the inscription as follows: (ARCHANGELUS) MICHAELUS FORTITER SUPER SECO PACIFICOQUE OMNES ROMANOS Among the fragments of liturgical furniture the remains of the altar screen and ciborium can be recognised.
Sušćepan, Church of St. Stephen, Parapet Plates Artifact In the Church of St. Stephen in Sušćepan two parapet plates, decorated in the pre-Romanesque style, were found. Each is divided into two square surfaces, framed by a border covered by braids of three-part strips. A griffin is represented on the upper surface of both plates, while a stylised floral ornament is placed below. These marble slabs date back to the 11th century and were then part of the iconostasis. Today, younger buildings were built (adjacent) to the wall in the same place.
Vrutci, Church of St. Stephen, Remains of Sculptural Decoration Artifact Fragments of bas-relief sculptural decoration found within the Church of St. Stephen in Vrutci dates back to the end of the 9th/beginning of the 10th century. These are parts of church furniture or architectural plastic made in the pre-Romanesque style - with the recognisable motif of the interweaving of three-part strips.
Places (13)
Name Class Begin End Description
Island of Koločep, Church of St. Nicholas (St. Vitus) Place The Church of St. Nicholas is situated on a small plateau, halfway between Donje and Gornje Čelo. It was probably built between the 9th and the 11th century. Judging by the archival documentation from the 13th century, the Church was dedicated to Saint Vitus. On the other hand, fresco decoration indicates othervise. Its a single nave edifice with a dome on pendantives, an apse which is semicircular inside and rectangular on the outside and has facade divided by lesenes. Inside, the edifice is divided with two lesenes in three bays. Fragments of the original doorpost decorated with a motif of double three-bar knots have been found, and were later used as building material. Parts of the altar screen, that probably belonged to the original Church, are decorated with various braided motifs of geometric design. Remains of early medieval frescoes, that date to the end of the 11th century, represent figures of saints and have been preserved on the walls and on the vaults of the Church. Some researchers have found stylistic similarities with frescoes of the Church of St. John (Ivan) on the Island of Šipan. On the Western side of the Church is a bell-tower with a bronze bell made in the 16th century by Ivan Krstitelj Rabljanin, which was brought from the Church of St. Mary in Donje Čelo in the 20th century. Thorough conservation and archeological works were carried out in the 20th century so the Church of St. Nicholas is still in use, primarily as a cemetery church.
Island of Korčula, Zablaće, Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian Place The Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian is situated in Zablaće, near Blato, on the Island of Korčula. Its a single nave edifice dated in the 12th century. It underwent several restorations such as changing the vault in the gothic manner, in the 13th century, after the original collapsed for unknown reasons. The restorations greatly altered the exterior of the church, while the plan of the church remained unchanged. On the facades are narrow, high niches on its lateral walls, and a shallow porch in front of its western entrance, with a visible tendency towards verticality.
Island of Mljet, Church of St. Pancras in Babino Polje Place The Church of St. Pancras is situated near Babino Polje, in the Island of Mljet. It is dedicated to a one-time patron of the island, a 4th century martyr from Phrygia, who was killed in Rome in 304 AD during Christian prosecutions, under Emperor Diocletian (ruled 284-305). The Church is a single nave building, dimensions 4x2m, with an apse on its Eastern end which is semicircular on the inside and rectangular on the outside. The naos was divided into two bays by the opposing, wide pilasters joined by an arch that strengthened the barrel vault. The Church was probably built in the 11th century, and today is left in ruins. In the 12th century it fell into the hands of the Benedictines. At that time, Babino Polje became the administrative and ecclesiastical center of the whole island.
Kuti, Church of St. Thomas Place The Church of St. Thomas in Kuti near Herceg Novi was probably built in the last quarter of the 11th century. It is a single nave edifice with a semicircular apse in the East as well as with semicircular vaults and a dome, indicating a strong Byzantine influence. Fragments of fresco paintings and stone furnishings have been found. A remaining stone altar screen with two parapets indicates a new, Romanesque style. On the other hand, the fresco decoration (dated to the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century) with heads of Saints points to Byzantine artists, having similarities with the frescoes in the chapel and crypt of the katholikon of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas in Phokis and the Church of St. Nicholas on the island of Koločep. The Church of St. Thomas is in ruins with walls preserved up to a maximum height of ca. 2,5 m.
Novi Pazar (Ras), Church of St. Peter Place The Church of St. Peter in Ras was built by order of the Serbian Prince Mutimir (reigned 851-891) around 870-890 on a hill of Stari Ras ("Old Ras"), in today’s city of Novi Pazar. (VĐ ŽSN., 18 i 19 - se v'toroje kr'Štenije prijeti ... u V'seslavnyju ... Petra i Pavla). However, the latest research refutes the previous beliefs that the church was built by Prince Mutimir in 870, but much earlier, probably around 820, by Prince Radoslav. It seems that Prince Mutimir restored the building approximately six decades later, making it an episcopal seat (the church was most likely destroyed in one of the two Bulgarian campaigns against Serbia). It was decorated with fresco paintings at the beginning of the 10th century with the merit of the Serbian Prince Petar Gojniković (reigned 892-918). The building, made from sandstone and travertine, is a rotunda encircling an irregular tetraconch (with the fact that the conch on the Eastern side, intended for the altar space, had a different shape and a larger area than the other three conchs) with vaults in the form of semicircles. Above the central area is a dome which is octagonal on the outside. The Eastern conch served as an altar, while on its Northern, Western and Southern sides the rotunda is embraced by a horseshoe-like ambulatory above which are galleries looking onto the nave, which served as a catechumenate or matroneum. The rotunda constructed on the described foundation was surrounded on all sides, except in the east, by a nave, which was divided by radial walls into five "rooms", interconnected by passages. The outer wall of the nave was adjacent to the circular wall of the rotunda. On the exterior, the edifice resembles pre-Romanesque style, with shallow arched niches placed on the upper part of the drum and the lateral wall of the rotunda, along the apse. Niches can be seen in the interior as well. The baptismal piscina, hollowed out in front of the southeast pilaster of the rotunda, points to the conclusion that St. Peter's church was partly intended for baptisms. The church simultaneously functioned as a court chapel. The only preserved sculptural decorations inside and around blind niches in the interior of the church are floral and geometrical motifs along with crosses engraved into fresh plaster. The fresco paintings have mostly faded. Today some of the decoration can be seen in the drum with five scenes associated with Christ’s nativity and childhood (Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi and Presentation at the Temple). In the squinches, one can see parts of scenes of the Baptism and Betrayal of Christ, and on the Western wall, below the drum, parts of the Crucifixion. All compositions were framed with wide bands, rimmed with red. On elongated figures, red-violet and yellow-golden tones prevail. The background is mostly golden, while grey is seen once it progresses towards the top. Art historians believe that Byzantine masters were hired to decorate the church (they also find similarities with the Church of St. Stephen in Kastoria and the Church of Transfiguration near Koropi, Attica).
Omiš, Church of St. Peter Place The Church of St. Peter in Omiš is mentioned in the period from 1074 to 1090 in the Codex Diplomaticus and, thus, was built before that, most probably between 1050 and 1070. Its a single-nave edifice with a dome and an apse on its Eastern end, similar in plan to the Church of St. Michael in Ston and St. John the Baptist in Podace, near Zaostrog. There are also similarities with the Church of St. George in Ribnica (Podgorica). The outer walls are segmented by lesenes. Spoliae, probably from the 6th century building that once stood here, have been used.
Ošlje church, Octachora Place The Ošlje church was probably built in the 10th century and to this day has remained greatly damaged. Its dedication is unknown, but T. Marasović presumes it might have been dedicated to St. Peter. Its an eight-leaf edifice with dome above its central part while conchae had semi-domes. When taking into consideration solid building construction, facade with lesenes and flat niches, and rare programme concept it is possible that its ktetor was Prince Michael (Mihailo Višević, reigned 912-935) or some other prominent ruler of Zachlumia. Some art historians believe this church was built solely for baptism. Ošlje and its Octachora are mentioned in the written source "De Administrando Imperio (DAI)" of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (reigned 913/945-959).
Ribnica, Church of St. George Place The Church of St. George is situated in Ribnica (today's Podgorica, Montenegro) where, according to legend, the Serbian Grand Župan Stefan Nemanja (reigned 1166/68-1196) was baptised. It is a single-nave edifice with an apse, a dome and a bell tower on its Western side. The church was rebuilt and extended several times. Along the Eastern side of the building researchers revealed the remains of an older building. Its walls were used as the foundation walls of the apse, which was extended further to the Northern and Southern side as well as to the interior of the building, indicating the continuity of the sacred place and ancient settlement. Furthermore, the remains of the older building were used as construction material for the new one. There are numerous written accounts on the church. The Church of St. George is similar to the Church of St. Peter in Omiš.
Skadar, Monastery of the Most Pure Mother of God of Krajina Place The Monastery of the Most Pure Mother of God of Krajina ("Craini"), with its main church dedicated to the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, was built near the South-Western shore of Lake Skadar. As most researchers believe, its ktetor was the Serbian Prince Jovan Vladimir (reigned 990-1016), whose remains were transferred here not long after he was murdered in 1016 in Prespa. Next to him his wife Kosara was buried. The church was renewed and enlarged several times, but the original plan is still visible. It is a single nave edifice with semicircular conchae on its Southern, Eastern and Northern sides, making it a trefoil building, similar to the Church of St. John the Baptist in Zaton on the River Lim, built at approximately the same time, and the Church of St. Panteleimon in Ohrid (the burial church of St. Kliment of Ohrid), built during the time of Tsar Samuel's domination in the Balkans. The Church of the Most Pure Mother of God of Krajina was renewed at the end of the 14th century, probably at the time when the Metropolitan see of Zeta was transferred. It is believed that Balša III Djurdjević (reigned 1403-1421), the ruler of Zeta, was responsible for its renovation. Today, only fragments of fresco decoration indicate that the church was once embellished. (FŠ LPD., 331 - in ecclesia sancta Mariae, in loco qui dicitur Craini).
Ston, Church of St. Archangel Michael Place The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel in Ston was probably erected by Prince Stefan Vojislav, the archont of the Serbs and a Terbounian Serb (reigned ca. 1037-1050), in the first half of the 11th century. The church is situated on top of the hill named Gradac and it might have served as a palace church. Its a rectangular, single-nave building, which is divided with composite pilasters into three bays (the middle one has a blind dome, while Eastern and Western have groin vaults) and a bell-tower situated on its Western side. The altar apse is semicircular inside and rectangular on the outside. The exterior is decorated with lesenes and niches, while door frames and stone window have low-relief decoration. Fresco decoration has been severely damaged but we can still recognize its iconographical programme. Certainly the most significant is the fresco decoration of the ktetor who is holding a model of the church and along with Latin inscriptions we can conclude that the paintings are of Western pre-Romanesque and Byzantine influence finished probably around 1050 (for sure until 1081).
Ston, Church of the Virgin of Lužina Place The Church of the Virgin of Lužine (Monastery of the Holy Mother of God) was built in the 10th or the 11th century in the Ston Polje field, close to the sea. It underwent several renovations in the 13th and 16th centuries which makes it difficult to determine its former appearance. The Church is a single-nave edifice with a semicircular apse, and a tower on its Western end (built during later renovations). It is also probable that this Church Sava Nemanjić designated as the seat of the bishopric in Hum, in 1220. The Church was repaired and restored after an earthquake in 1667 and later again in 1891. Today it is a Roman Catholic Church.
Ston, St. Mary Magdalene Place The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is situated on the archaeological site Gorica, in Ston (important center and an episcopal seat in the principality of Zachloumoi). It was a single-nave late antique basilica that was adapted into a three-nave basilica in the second half of the 9th century, with a bell tower on its Western side. It probably housed the Ston bishops cathedra. In the Church interior the remains of fresco decoration and a late antique sarcophagus have been found (today kept in Dubrovnik).
Zaton, Church of St. John the Baptist Place The Church of St. John the Baptist in Zaton on the River Lim near Bijelo Polje is a trefoil church built in the 9th or the 10th century, was destroyed in the 14th century and again in the 20th century. Finally, it was rebuilt in the 21st century. The similarity with the Church of St. Panteleimon in Ohrid indicates that it was probably erected during the reign of Tsar Samuel. The ground plan indicates a single nave church with square base and three conchae on its Eastern, Northern and Southern sides. Fragments of fresco decoration and a stone slab floor were found. Researchers believe that the church was fresco decorated in the time of the Serbian Prince Miroslav (reigned 1162-1190).