A contribution to the study of the sacral topography of medieval Belgrade: Archaeological and geophysical perspectives

Abstract

Returning to the studies of the topography of the Belgrade Fortress from the perspective of archaeological and geophysical research unveiled a number of valuable insights regarding the structure and chronology of constructions within the spatial unit of the Lower Town. In the light of the newly obtained precise layouts of the objects, and harking back to the indicative narrative sources, a reexamination of the available artistic and archaeological material was undertaken. In addition to the confirmation of the presumed position of the Metropolitan Church of the Assumption, new light is shed on the siting of the Franciscan monastery of St. Mary. Based on the features of the floor plan, a possible period of establishment of the Franciscan church and monastery complex in the late 13th or early 14th century, shortly after the first mention of the presence of their community in Belgrade, is considered. Erected in its immediate vicinity was a caravanserai, a building of massive architectural proportions, with an atrium courtyard surrounded by rows of relatively spacious rooms. Its remains were partly destroyed by the construction of infantry barracks by the Austrians (1723-1739), while later, after 1740, Hasan Pasha's mosque was built over the remains of both voluminous buildings.

Keywords

• belgrade fortress
• lower town
• middle ages
• early modern age
• church of the assumption
• franciscan monastery
• sultan suleiman's caravanserai
• hasan pasha's mosque
• archeology
• geophysics