The book “Kaštela Castles” by author Katja Marasović aroused the curiosity of the people of Kaštela, who asked for a seat higher at its presentation last night at the Cultural Center in Kaštel Lukšić. This extensive work is based on her doctoral dissertation defended in 2002 at the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, now supplemented with new scientific findings, and was published by the Kaštela City Museum and the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, with the financial support of the City of Kaštela, Kaštela – Split Airport and the Ribola company.
The author, Prof. Dr. Sc. Katja Marasović, is a full professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Split, and the book was presented by the author, reviewers Dr. Sc. Ivo Babić and Dr. Sc. Ivan Alduk, and the editor, along with the author, is Prof. Mario Klaić.
As the author points out, the castles have been her inspiration for 40 years, and despite the fact that there was a slight risk that the book would remain unfinished, she still succeeded.
On 750 pages, it presents an overview of the origin and development of 20 castles built from the end of the 15th to the end of the 16th century on the 17-kilometer-long coast of the Kaštela Bay – a concentration of fortifications unique in European terms. The final chapter, “Concluding Considerations”, in addition to analyzing the location, typology and defense, also covers topics such as water supply, sea level rise and construction technology. The subchapter “Renaissance in Kaštela”, which emphasizes the importance of the Donjokaštela fortifications, is particularly noteworthy. They preserve consistent Renaissance buildings – small palaces – designed and built “in one go”, which is a rarity in Dalmatian secular architecture.
The Kaštela City Museum also participated in the realization of this project, and director Ivan Šuta said that the Kaštela City Museum is proud of its role as publisher of this book together with the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy in Split, and that this book is one of the capital books that will clearly present the history and heritage of the city of Kaštela.
With a rich visual aid of 850 illustrations, the book contains transcriptions and translations of original documents crucial for understanding the construction of fortifications. Although it is primarily intended for experts in fortification architecture and conservators, the book will certainly be interesting to the wider public, especially the residents of Kaštela who want to learn more about the history and architecture of their region.
- This is a capital book, and I would add monumental, not only in terms of dimensions, but also in terms of contributions - said Dr. Ivo Babić, one of the book's reviewers, adding that this book is of great importance to today's students, and that the author is responsible for creating a generation of people who will care for and preserve their cultural heritage.
- Each of us presenters, when we come somewhere, thinks the same way about what I'm going to say, how I'm going to start, and so it occurred to me today, imagine if someone asked you to introduce this book with one single word. There's nothing else, just one word. And now, the best, the most beautiful, the first, the necessary, everything is true. And actually, another word occurred to me, and that's finally. Finally - said the book's reviewer, Dr. sc. Ivan Alduk.
The book "Kaštela Castles" was also presented by one of its editors, Prof. Mario Klaić, emphasizing the excellent long-term collaboration with the author.
- Anyone who knows Katja Marasović, or our Kata, well knows who the real editor is. All that was left for me to do was to find a paragraph and an idea with great effort. Working on this book was an honor and a great pleasure, as was collaborating with the author and dear friend from whom I have learned a lot all these years - said Klaić.
- I was lucky enough to design and lead the renovation of some of the most valuable historical buildings in Kaštela. These are the eastern wing of the Ćipiko Castle, the Vitturi Castle, the tower in Sućurac, the Ballet School in Kambelovac, the Abbey House in Gomilica, and the Villa Nika in Stari. This is an opportunity to thank all those who have helped me in any way during these 40 years of work in Kaštela - the author concluded.
The book presentation included a musical performance by the mandolin orchestra of the KUD "Kvadrilja" - Trogir, to the delight of those present, and the gathering continued in the Vitturi Castle.
Photo: Ivana Topic
