Restoration Of Sacral Objects In The Function Of Tourism Development: Case Study The Cathedral Of St. Peter'S In Djakovo

Once the cathedral of Djakovo or Bosnia and Sirmium diocese, today the cathedral of Djakovo-Osijek archdiocese, the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Djakovo is one of the most significant historic monuments in Eastern Croatia, the centre of religious practice in the Bishopric, and a popular tourist destination. It was built at the initiative of its most prominent bishop, Josip JurajStrossmayer (1849-1905). The blueprint for the Cathedral was ordered from Karl Rösner, a famous Viennese architect, who signed a construction contract on 17 April 1866. Although it had been planned to build the Cathedral within a five-year period, the construction lasted until 1882, and the Cathedral was consecrated on 1 November of the same year. Early severe damage to the Cathedral was inflicted by the earthquake in 1884. Its renewal began in 1933 after more destruction caused by the fire on the choir of the Cathedral. At the beginning of World War II, the Cathedral suffered minor damage but this was followed by massive destruction in the last year of the war, 1945, when serious damage was incurred to the roof and façade. Essential repairs were carried out after the War (truss, glass rose windows), whereas other repairs were indefinitely suspended in the next 15 years due to a lack of financial means. They were resumed thanks to bishopStjepanBäuerlein, who turned to the Cathedral Chapter for help in finding means for vital repairs. In line with financial resources available some repairs were made in the next three years, but in 1964 both the Cathedral and the whole of Djakovo region were struck by a new disaster. On 13 April 1964 the East of the Socialist Republic of Croatia was hit by an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, and subsequent damage to the Cathedral ran into 12 million Yugoslav dinars. This paper is an attempt to reconstruct the process of the Cathedral renovation in 1960s, and to explain the role of bishop Bäuerlein, of the authorities and government of the Republic of that time, as well as of the engagement of numerous parishes and dioceses in the Republic in raising money for the earthquake stricken area.