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Research and restoration of an auxiliary fortified position (spur) on St. Michael’s Fortress in Šibenik, Croatia

St. Michael’s Fortress is the oldest existing historical monument in the city of Šibenik, with archaeological findings ranging from prehistory up until today. Various external fortifications were built from 15th to 17th century around the medieval castle, giving the fortress its irregular shape. One of its peripheral structures – for many years unrecognized as a part of the fortress – is located on the northwestern slopes. Archaeological excavations at this position began in late 2017, and after three campaigns it became clear that this was a distinct (albeit a small) tower, a proto-bastion for early handguns. It was constructed in the late 15th century to flank the existing ramparts (strada di soccorso) leading from the fortress to the sea. Archival research did not uncover the exact date of construction or the original term by which the structure was called, and following the examples or structures of the same period, the research team chose to designate it as a spur (It. sperone), or in local vernacular – ‘špirun’. A publication of scientific paper (available online on Croatian scientific database) in mid-2019 was followed by several public presentations and walks. At the same time, a restoration project was made as the western wall of the spur was estimated to be seriously impaired. After the completion and the approval of the restoration project, the construction works partly financed by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media were finally carried out from November 2021 to April 2022. This entire process, which included detection, archaeological and historical analysis, publication and presentation of research, interdisciplinary discussion and agreement on the methods of restoration and the subsequent use, and finally the implementation of the restoration project, is perhaps a good example of how the fortification heritage in Croatia should be treated in the future.

: Šibenik, Dalmatia, 15th century fortifications, restoration project.

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