engleski

Petrapilosa: The arcitectural and historical developement of the structure

The Medieval fortification Petrapilosa is situated in the north of the Istrian peninsula in present day Croatia. This is an area in which the Adriatic Sea reaches deepest into the European mainland and where the mingling of Mediterranean and Central European influences created specific political relationships in the Middle Ages. Petrapilosa is one of the largest, and as historical sources indicates, one of the most significant feudal fortifications in Istria. It was in use in the period from the eleventh to seventeenth century and is, in this context, of great interest due to its developed archaeological stratigraphy and the eminently distinguishable development of its architecture. It functioned actively throughout the entire period in which feudal fortifications were the major hubs of the Istrian peninsula, which makes it a prime example of the development and a paragon for the interpretation of medieval fortifications in this area. A significant part of the site has been investigated over the past six years and a great quantity of data has been collected that sheds light on the development of the fortification and positions it in the historical context to which it belongs. Archaeological research has uncovered some previously unknown details concerning the development of the fortress and its functioning, but perhaps the most valuable information it has yielded is a rich stratigraphy sequence that covers an unbroken period of the fortress' use. Along with the archaeological research, analyses of preserved standing structures were conducted. All of the collected data illustrate how lengthy and intensive the process of the creation and development of this fortification was – a process that synthesises both the stages of growth and development and of episodes of destruction or degradation. The traces of various processes have been recorded in the well-preserved walls of the architectural complex and 13 phases of development of the fortification were identified in the course of the analyses conducted.

Petrapilosa, archaeology of standing structures, archaeological researches

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