The Ivinj archeological site with Saint Martin’s Church

Ivinj archeological site with Saint Martin’s Church

The Ivinj archeological site with Saint Martin’s Church, is located near Pirovac, Dalmatia.^[1] This site was proclaimed a cultural good on 20 July 2012 and on the basis of a resolution by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, awarded the status of a protected cultural monument.^[2]

Roman villa

The remnants of a Roman villa in Ivinj date back to the first century AD. The villa was built by an unknown immigrant who moved to Ivinj after the Batonian uprising had ended. At the beginning of the 1st century, he built a building that had both residential and economic function. Upon later modifications, this building grew into a large villa rustica. The villa had its own inner courtyard, oil production and storage and rooms for the workers. A separate, luxuriously furnished section of the villa was used by the owner of villa (Dominus). Remnants of a mosaic found in the villa provide evidence of a luxurious life lived there. These remnants are on permanent exhibit in the Katunarić Palace in Tisno.^[3]

Basilica and baptistery

In the 5th century, a basilica was added to the villa. A baptistery was also added in the 6th century.^[3]

Church of Saint Martin

In the Middle Ages, the Church of Saint Martin was built by Croats on the land of the Villa Rustica. This church has been preserved until today and Holy Mass is held there every year on 11 November.^[3] The Church of Saint Martin in Ivinj is evidence of the cult of Saint Martin in Dalmatia in the period from the 6th to the 11th century.^[4] From the 12th century onwards, the dead were buried around the Church of Saint Martin with all the jewelry that they had worn during their life.^[3]

References