Magister a cisternis Jacobus Correr de Trano and the Four Wells in Šibenik

Abstract

The paper explores the Šibenik communal cistern, commonly known as the Four Wells. The construction was undertaken by Master Jacobus Correr from the Apulian town of Trani, protomaster of St Mark’s Cathedral in Korčula, based on a contract signed with the citizens of Šibenik on January 10, 1446. The author proposes a thesis concerning the time frame in which the Four Wells assembly was completed, suggesting that it likely occurred after Jacobus Correr’s departure from Šibenik and no later than the first half of 1451, towards the end of the mandate of Šibenik’s count Cristoforo Marcello. Given that Jacobus Correr built the municipal cistern of Tre pozzi in Korčula, certain specificities in execution have led the author to establish a connection between the Four Wells in Šibenik and the Korčula cistern. The construction method and the positioning of the Four Wells emphasize its role in the Šibenik fortifications, contributing to the defence of the city gate near St Jacob’s Cathedral. Jacobus Correr built the Tre pozzi cistern in Korčula in a similar way, as part of the western fortifications. Subsequent modifications to the Four Wells’ terrace occurred during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, under the mandates of Šibenik’s counts Cristoforo Canal and Andrea Soranzo.