KVARNER. Archaeological and historical studies of island monasteries and ecclesial sites of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the historic Dalmatian area: the example of the Kvarner archipelago (Croatia)

Our research programme builds on the achievements of the "Monachisme insulaire dans le Kvarner du V^e au XI^e siècle” (Insular Monasticism in the Kvarner from the 5th to 11th century) conducted between 2010 and 2014 and dedicated to a survey of sites and ecclesiastical complexes, which are potentially monastic. The new programme is devoted to the completion of the archaeological study of Saint Peter's monastery in Osor and to the development of planned excavations on the Martinšćica and Mirine complexes in Omišalj. In this second part, the scope is that of historical research on the origin of monastic establishments, on their relations with the different powers and the networks to which they belong. 

STATE OF THE ART

Compared with other European countries, Croatian research has done little to address the issue of monasticism and monasteries. The reason for this lack of interest in monastic archaeology - in the sense of a general understanding of a topography and the genesis of an architectural complex - on the Croatian Adriatic coast is probably linked to the nature of the remains, their state of conservation and the difficulty of understanding structures and devices which do not necessarily refer to models or diagrams known elsewhere. The lack of written sources for early periods limits our knowledge of the monastic landscape. But in recent years, in addition to new field research, three international conferences have marked a new interest in the "monastic fact" in all its diversity, archaeological as well as historical, in the Adriatic space and more particularly in Croatia.  

SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

The terms and conditions of the distribution of a first monasticism in late antiquity until the arrival of the Benedictines between the 9th and 11th centuries on the Croatian coast, are key scientific problems. One of the main difficulties is the actual identification of monastic complexes within the large number of ecclesial sites on the Croatian coast, whose functions may be very different. The question which also arises is that of the possible transition from one function to another. This difficulty also results from the definition of a monastery, as the acceptance of this denomination covers architectural realities, religious practices, uses or different statutes depending on places and periods. 

We suggest a research and analysis programme based on the sites on several levels: that of the monument, the complex to which it belongs, and the landscape/space in which it is situated.