Archive for the 'Attractions' Category
The city of Sibenik is a small town in Croatia. It is of historical importance. Venetians till the I World War first ruled the city. Later, after the war it came under the control of Yugoslavia. During World War II, the Nazis and Fazis occupied the town and after the war, it was again clubbed with Yugoslavia. The city is the house of many tourist attractions, however the most important and beautiful one is:
The St. Jacob’s Cathedral:
The Church is one of the listed places in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The plan of the Church began as early as 1298. However, the construction was started only by 1402. The main person behind the construction of this Cathedral was Juraj Matvejev Dalmatinac. He was elected unanimously as the architect of the Cathedral. He constructed the church almost up to its end. His exquisite ideas over the construction of the Church, however changed the concept of the church and it became more of an architectural piece. He developed many schemes for the construction and built up a huge network of associates, who followed his style and guidance to contribute their share in the construction. After the death of the master, the associates continued their work and completed the project. The Cathedral was finally consecrated only in 1555.
Architecture:
Venetian craftsmen built the Church. It is based on the Gothic style of construction.
The Cathedral consists of a main dome. The other structures include many chambers, apses. Stone sculptures are found aplenty. These include many decorations and human figures. The Baptistery and other sides on the outer region are all made out of stone. The parallel galleries and sanctuary add beauty to the whole Cathedral. However, it has to be mentioned that the construction of different parts of the Church took place in phases by different constructors, under the supervision of very many architects.
In 1991, the dome was badly damaged by shelling. However, within a span of few years, the damage had been rectified and the dome rebuilt.
Interiors of the Cathedral:
The Cathedral is built on Gothic and Renaissance ideas. The inside is divided into two areas. While the anterior part is dedicated for churchgoers and worshippers, the posterior part of it opens out into two galleries and shrines. The anterior part has high ceiling and semi circular stone roof. The posterior part delights the visitors with intensive lighting and almost occupies the entire Cathedral.
The Cathedral houses the tombs of many bishops. The tombs too consist of artwork and engravings. The tombs signify the important roles played by these Bishops in the development of the Cathedral.
One significant feature to be noted about this Cathedral, are the sculptures. All of the sculptures are made of stone and they involve intricate ornamentation. The sculptures are based on human figures, angelic and Godly figures. The shapes of these structures create many moods and are capable of moving the visitor.
The Cathedral forms the main attraction of the Sibenik town. Thousands of visitors pour in throughout the year. Many events take place during the International Children’s Festival. All in all, it is a sight of holy vibrations and a gallery to expose the most beautiful architectures of the world, telling stories about the meticulous and creative artists and craftsmen of the region.
The city of Porec is located in Croatia. In the ancient days, Romans possessed the city and in the later centuries, it came under the control of Yugoslavia. It is found on the seashore as a peninsula, the main occupation of the people being fishing and food processing. The landscape is rich with a variety of vegetation ranging between pine trees to olive trees. The city provides vast scope for tourism and holidaying.
The Basilica:
The beautiful city is the house of the St. Euphrasius Basilica. The Bishop Euphrasius built this famous monument in the 6th century. What had been a very basic structure was developed massively with a plethora of artistic and architectural innovations.
The layout of the Basilica:
The basilica is built based on the pre-Euphrasian architecture. It is now a part of a large complex, which has developed by the construction of many other structures. There is a presence of a Memorial Chapel within the Basilica. The baptistery is found at a close proximity. The structure of the Basilica itself is octagonal and the walls of the Basilica are made up with splendid mosaics.
Architecture of the Basilica:
•Floors:
The floors of the Basilica are mainly made of mosaic and they reflect the rich art of the region. There are motifs of brilliant hues and engravings. The floor also bears the carvings of the names of the donors, who had contributed liberally for the construction of the Basilica. The floors themselves serve as the references for the study of the changing times and the adaptations of the different inhabitants of the region. It also reflects the practices of the Christian community in Porec.
• Walls:
The walls of the Basilica contain the stories from Bible, which have been depicted beautifully on the mosaic. It also shows the strong belief of the people and their orientation towards Christianity.
In the 1277, a canopy was built in the Basilica, which rests on four pillars and also houses many other motifs and colours.
The art of the Basilica is mainly of the Byzantine type, which is the art of the Eastern Roman Empire of the 5th Century.
The interiors of the Basilica:
The atrium marks the entrance of the Basilica, which has many columns and arches. There is a square at the center. Some of the mosaics within the Church are very old and date back to the fourth century. The sculptures are supposed to have been imported from Constantinople. There is a wooden stairway with 120 stairs. Once these stairs are ascended, one can have a breathtaking view of the city of Porec.
Events at the Basilica:
The Basilica has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. It is entitled to Virgin Mary and the daily masses take place. The other activities include the music concerts during the summer season, where classical music is given preference. The Basilica also houses holy objects, portraits of female martyrs, medallions and other artwork of the Middle Ages and the Byzantine period. These serve as a visual treat for the visitors of the Basilica.
The Basilica is one of the main things listed in the itinery of the Porec tourists, which flaunts off the taste of Roman architecture and religious beliefs.