Research program “Topography of monuments and social topography of Croatian Middle Ages” deals with four great research areas structured into four research projects. These projects aim to study Croatian Middle Ages from Late Antiquity, whose inheritance and tradition was taken over by Croats. Having settled their new homeland, during the following centuries they developed forms of Central European and Mediterranean, feudal and urban, Croatian medieval society. Organisational feudal structures and ecclesiastical institutions, two leading social and spiritual forces of the Middle Ages in Croatia will be particularly studied. In the same way, the attention will be focused on the material culture, monumental heritage of that period, especially that of the neglected areas. Analysis of written sources as well as modern methodology of historical research, archaeological reconnaissance and discovering of historical landscape will be used. Particular attention will be dedicated to the research of less “attractive” historical sceneries: forgotten and lost rural settlements, local communications and connections, neighbour relations; in short, less known categories of monuments and historical heritage. Particular historical analyses and reconstructions of the events scenery will be included to form a coherent picture of greater historical events and changes. Complementary methodology, as well as direct cooperation of historians, archaeologists, art historians, and conservators will bring a completely new view on some established explanations of historical events or neglected Croatian areas. Certainly, this research program has a wider and general national importance. Each nation, and it is particularly true for the Croatian, which has been exposed to so many historical changes, breaking events which changed geographical, demographic and cultural picture of entire Croatian regions, situated in the area which had regularly been divided among political and religious empires, has to search for and recognise its historical destiny, individuality of its existence, and its permanently separate identity. The researchers involved into this program have necessary knowledge; they are experienced and expert researchers. I am fully confident that their final results will be a valuable contribution to Croatian historiography and permanent testimony of the Croatian contribution to the European culture.
Projects within this program:
- Town in Croatian Middle Ages: social structures, topography, urban life
- Croatian Middle Ages: Nobility and Population, Authorities and Institutions
- Medieval Ecclesiastical and cultural history of Croatia
- Basic parameters for the social construction of reality in medieval Croatia
