Researching the design elements of Romanesque architecture and the possibility of reconstructing the original form of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Špitalič
The Žiče Charterhouse in the Valley of St John the Baptist near Slovenske Konjice was founded in the middle of the 12th century, and was the first charterhouse outside the Romance lands. It is one of the rare charterhouses where both the upper and lower chapels are preserved – the first intended for the monks living in solitude, and the second for friars seeing to the running of the monastery. The lower chapel, referred to as ecclesia minor, is the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Špitalič. It was built around the year 1200, and in its design and quality of construction is one of the most prominent monuments of late Romanesque and early Gothic work in Slovenia and also in Central Europe. In its history spanning over 800 years the church has undergone a series of reconstructions and modifications, which have erased its original image and involved varying interpretations.
As part of the project Mysterious Špitalič, together with a group of students and mentors from the UL Faculty of Architecture (UL FA) and Art History Department of the Faculty of Arts (UL FF), using modern digital tools we researched the possibility of reconstructing individual phases of the church’s development. A workshop allowed the students to learn about the process of researching and reconstructing the complex and fragile monument, and to explore various approaches to reconstruction. The exhibition uses 3D technology (3D scan/photogrammetry, 3D printing, visualisation) to present the findings and possible reconstruction of the late Romanesque church at Špitalič.
Mentors: Asst Professor Rok Žnidaršič (UL FA), Prof. Dr Matej Klemenčič (UL FF), Assist. Katarina Čakš (UL FA), Matija Plevnik (work mentor, ZVKDS OE Celje)
Sponsors: Luka Jemec, 3D scan of the Špitalič church
Production: Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ljubljana
MGBS Curator: Vladimir Vidmar
