Urban

Architecture



Apotropaic Figures

Nei portali ad arco le chiavi di volta possono presentarsi semplici e massicce, talvolte allegerite da qualche voluta decorativa, o con mascheroni caratterizzati spesso da deformazioni grottesche, come grandi bocche, occhi sporgenti, lingue protese, con espressioni ambivalenti e voluntamente innaturali. Teste scolpite di questo tipo possono anche essere inserite nei muri, specialmente sotto la sporgenza del tetto e in prossimita' delle grondaie. Appariscono anche in posti inaspettati.

On the Istrian arched portals, the keystones may present themselves as simple and solid, at times lightened by some deliberate decoration, or with masks that are often characterized by grotesque deformities, such as large mouths, bulging eyes, protruding tongues, with ambivalent expressions and deliberately unnatural. Sculptured heads of this type may also be inserted in walls, especially under jutting roofs and in proximity of gutters. They also appear in unexpected places.

 
Grožnjan / Grisignana
 

Buzet / Pinguente

Unknown location

Oprtalj / Portole


Draguć / Draguccio (2)


Vodice / Vodizze


Kaštelir / Castellier (2)


Draguć / Draguccio (1)


Božje Polje / Campo (1)


Božje Polje / Campo (2)

 
Kaštelir / Castellier (1)

Kaštelir / Castellier (3)

Kostanjica / Castagna
 (near Grožnjan)


Kostanjica / Castagna
  (near Grožnjan)


Veli Lošinj / Lussingrande


Gedići / Ghedda


Plomin / Fianona


Šišan / Sissano

 
Pićan / Pedena or Kršan / Chersano


Tinjan / Antignana

Unknown location


Izola / Isola


 Ventini, near Kaštelir / Castelier (near Poreč) (1)

 
Ventini, near Kaštelir / Castelier (near Poreč) (2)


Svetvinčenat / Sanvinventi (2)


Svetvinčenat / Sanvinventi (3)


Poreč - courtyard of basilica


Momjan / Momiano


Izola / Isola


Ventini, near Kaštelir / Castelier (near Poreč) (3)


Svetvinčenat / Sanvincenti (1)


Cres / Cherso


Labinci / Santa Domenica di Visinada


Lovran / Laurana


Oprtalj / Portole (1)

Oprtalj / Portole (2)

Katun / Cattuni, near Poreč - male

Katun / Cattuni, near Poreč - female (1)

Katun / Cattuni, near Poreč - female (2)

Buje / Buie


Kastav / Castua


Pula / Pola


Oprtalj / Portole


Učka / Monte Maggiore


Rovinj / Rovigno


Vorići / Orihi / Vorichi


Rijeka / Fiume


Rovinj / Rovigno


Buzet / Pinguente


Rojnići / Roinici


Novigrad / Cittanova


Poreć / Parenzo


Poreć / Parenzo


Rijeka / Fiume


Kršan (Chersano)

Click images to enlarge


Buzet / Pinguente


Poreč / Parwnzo


Orlec (Cherso)

Bibliography / sources:

  • Various photographs and detail notes by Mirko Gabler
  • Draguccio - courtesy of Franco G. Aitala
  • Cres - photo by Romano Ruzic
  • Photograph - Andre Mohorovičić & Daniel Načinović, Istria - Terra Magica, "Laurana" (Zagreb, 1994)
  • Introduction and B&W photographs - Roberto Starec, Mondo Popolare in Istria, Collana degli Atti No.13, Centro di Ricerche Storiche di Rovigno (Trieste-Rovigno, 1996), p. 62-3.
  • Kaštelier / Castellier - courtesy of M.T.
  • Drawings - Dario Alberi. ISTRIA - storia, arte, cultura. LINT (Trieste, 1997). All copyrights reserved to the author and publisher.
  •  E. Zar, Figure apotropaiche in Istria e loro rapporti con le leggende di Attila, Note e documenti, #509, CRSR. [E.Zar, Apotropaic Figures in Istria as related to legends of Attila, #509, Notes and Documents published by Centro di Ricerche Storiche di Rovigno]
  • Kršan / Chersano - Turistička Zajednica Grad Labina (1997)
  • Plomin / Fianona - Kršan, Općina Kršan (199?)
  • Unknown stonehead - Istra, Turistička zajednica  Istarske županije (Istria County Tourist Association)
  • Izola / Isola - Palazzo Besenghi - Dragovan Šepić Istria, Guida Turistica, Naprijed (Zagreb, 1971)
  • http://photoforum.istria.info
  • http://photocroatia.com
  • Rojnići - Glas Istre, January 31, 2006

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This page compliments of Marisa Ciceran, Mirko Gabler, Franco G. Aitala and Romano Ruzic

Created Saturday, June 15, 2002; Last updated: Wednesday June 04, 2008
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