Majstorska cesta Across Velebit: The Interplay of Architectural Heritage, Historical Legacy, and Archival and Philatelic Sources Along the Lovinac – Podprag – Obrovac Route

Abstract

Majstorska cesta across Velebit is one of the most important historical transport routes in Croatia and an exceptional example of early modern road engineering. As the first modern trans-Velebit road, constructed at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it provided a permanent land connection between the continental and coastal parts of the country, substantially improving commercial, military, and postal traffic within the Habsburg Monarchy along the Vienna–Zadar route. This paper analyzes the construction and technical characteristics of the route and the engineering in the demanding Velebit terrain. In addition to the roadway, particular attention is given to the accompanying roadside structures, such as the Church of St. Francis in Podprag, which stands out as a representative Neoclassical achievement. Combining transport infrastructure  with functional and symbolic elements illustrates the historical importance of Podprag as a transport, administrative, and spiritual center found along the route. The paper also analyzes the landscape features and the symbolic meaning of the areas of Tulove grede and the Mali Alan pass. A particularly important factor is the use of philatelic sources, such as illustrated postcards, postage stamps, and vignettes, to reconstruct the historical and visual perception of the Majstorska cesta. Philatelic sources are deemed a valuable record of communication and cultural history. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach to researching the facts surrounding Majstorska cesta as a complex phenomenon entailing historical, architectural, and identity aspects is highlighted in the research, and incorporates historical analysis, archival sources, archaeology, epigraphy, philatelic sources, architectural heritage, and cartographic sources.