Caričin Grad – Iustiniana Prima, archaeological site, Mount Radan, Serbia It has been established that it is a town of Iustiniana Prima, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I (527-565) near the place he has been born. By the order of the emperor a new administrative and archbishopric seat of the Illyricum province was built, so as to strengthen the rule of Byzantium and help spread Christianity. The settlement was not to last long, and its disappearance is associated with the emperor Heraclius (610-641) and the invasions of Slavic tribes. Description of Caričin Grad The fortified city was built on the elongated and elevated rock foundation, bordered by the Caričina river to the east and Svinjarička River to the west. The urbanized area of the settlement includes three segments: the Acropolis, the Upper and Lower Town, surrounded by fortifications, extending below into a broad settlement, located outside the walls. The fortified area covers about 10 hectares. Around the town there was a settlement, defended by a large moat at its south end, while earthen bulwarks protected it at its north and east ends. The west end was protected by the natural, almost inaccessible, land contour. The early Byzantine urban development at Caričin Grad reflects the approach of ancient Roman builders towards building plans and their implementation. It can be clearly seen how a selection of an appropriate location and a manner of planning and building can emphasise the importance and rank of some architectural units. The Acropolis, as the highest point, represents an ecclesiastical seat and is independently fortified. The Upper Town, as an administrative and commercial centre, occupying the central section, includes and protects the Acropolis, being independently fortified. The Lower Town, of lower level administrative functions, was more loosely located in space. Throughout the area of Caričin Grad, the sacral activity is emphasised, deriving from a desire for Christianisation of the Byzantine lands that were mostly under invasion from pagan tribes. In the town and in its immediate surroundings, eight churches were discovered, quite different in their construction design. Some of these churches, by their monumental size and lavish interior ornamentation, are representative examples of early Byzantine sacral architecture. Building practice seen in the discovered architectural remains in Caričin Grad derived from the Byzantine building tradition, developed on Greco-Roman style basis. It constitutes a good basis for the study of the development and spreading of Byzantine both technological and artistic influences on later achievements in the Balkans. Comparison with other similar properties Individual structures of Caričin Grad, particularly the most prominent ones, can be compared to other strictures from the early Byzantine period, built at the time of Justinians rule. Accordingly, the episcopal basilica in the Acropolis can easily be compared, according to its shape, dimensions and ornamentation, with the churches of San Apollinaire in Classe, in Ravenna (Early Christian Monuments of Ravena, WH List 1996), the basilica B in Philippi, a basilica in Pirdop, Bulgaria (all built approximately in the same period). The baptistery also has a direct parallel in in Armenian architecture, but even closer, in the area of Byzantium in the 6th century. The discovered mosaics can be compared, according to their motifs, the material used and craftsmanship, to the finest mosaics of Ravenna, from the same period. The planning and construction of such a complex architectural ensemble is unparalleled in its realisation in the Byzantine period. The specificities of the terrain and its purpose - an ecclesiastical and administrative centre, conditioned a certain building concept. However, building and planning techniques reflect the achievements of the early Byzantine civilization implemented in the entire Byzantine Empire. Comparisons may also be found in a broader historic context; if we look at construction of new administrative centres, based upon a rulers order, when representative examples of city planning, architecture and art appear. In a similar way, by a rulers decree, new cities of Thebes in Egypt (WH List 1979), Saint Petersburg in Russia (WH List 1990), Brasilia in Brazil (WH List 1987) were built. Text- Source: whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5539/
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:05:32 +0000
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