Two Contributions to the Study of Stonemasons’ Workshops in Zadar

Abstract

The text discusses a Baroque honorary monument on the side façade of the Provveditore’s Palace and the fragments of Romanesque reliefs that were re-carved and incorporated into its structure. The monument was created, in all likelihood, in the early years of the 17th century, when the palace itself was built, as attested by the inscription on the façade dated 1607. During the 19th century, the building was extensively remodelled and raised in height. At that time, the monument, originally located elsewhere, was moved to its present position. Recent conservation work has revealed fragments of reliefs whose stylistic characteristics indicate that they originated from a Romanesque stonemasons’ workshop active in the 12th and 13th centuries. These are pieces of liturgical furnishings, perhaps from a chancel screen or pulpit railing, from one of Zadar’s churches. Next to the palace stands the basilica of St Stephen. When the palace was constructed, the church underwent major alterations and, in 1632, was consecrated as the new church of St Simeon. Although it cannot be stated with certainty that the Romanesque fragments reused in the Baroque monument’s structure came specifically from that basilica, they significantly contribute to our understanding of the scope and productivity of a highly skilled Romanesque stonemasons’ workshop active in Zadar during that period.