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<p>Velika Mlaka is a village, south of Zagreb, within the Turopolje region and the municipality of Velika Gorica. The church Svete Barbare (Saint Barbara) was constructed in the 1640s. The timber structure is oak and contains intricate detail carving. The original bell tower was removed and the current structure erected in the 19th century. The side porch was added in the early 20th century.</p>
<p>The composition of shapes and woodworking within the upper framework (pediment) and subtlety of the carved details of the chapel's entry porch is evident in this sunlit view.</p>
<p>Covered wooden stairways lead to the upper level living quarters of the čardak dwellings of the Turopolje and Pokuplje regions, a distinguishing feature of this vernacular building type. The two timber stair stringers were notched to accept the wooden treads and a rail set on the outer stringer to give additional shelter during inclement weather.</p><p>The house was uninhabited and deteriorating in 1988, but planned for eventual restoration as a folk museum.</p><p>(photo 1988)</p>
<p>This view of the apse-end of the nave includes the smaller bell tower, which is inscribed with the date 1942.</p>
<p>The apse of the chapel shows the 'swallow's tail' (open-dovetail) joints of its horizontal oak plank construction. Elsewhere in the building local or 'German angle' joinery prevails.</p>
<p>The nave of the chapel dates from the 18th century. An entrance porch was later added to the southern flank of the chapel. Small windows admit light to the interior, which is notable for exceptional painted wall and ceiling panels.</p>
<p>The older structures at Slunj were built of wood, their walls of horizontal planks with interlocking corner joints. Masonry foundations and wooden posts set on stones secured the buildings to the uneven terrain along the river channels. This mill incorporates six stations, each with a water chute powering a horizontal wheel connected to the grinding stones above.</p>
<p>The stork (rode) is very much present on the traditional dwelling. The Turopolje region, with its slow rivers flowing across the alluvial plains, is a natural home to these birds. The verb for birth is roditi and the folklore of storks delivering infants is a part of the tradition in this region. Often one sees that the nests are constructed by the birds on top of the chimneys. (photo 1988)</p>
<p>This watermill has several operable openings to chutes that channel water to power the grinding stones within. Beyond the building, which is constructed of stone and wood, the water cascades into the Korana River below.</p>

Croatia (BHBA)

Croatia, formerly a republic in Yugoslavia, is now an independent country that was formed in 1991. Croatia declared its intention to leave the Yugoslavia federation in 1990 and did so by the end of 1991 (however armed conflicts did not end in some areas until some time in 1995). The culture of Croatia is rich and complex with connections to Slavonic, Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian folk cultures and their architectural expressions as well as other older cultures that lived along the Adriatic coast.


The country has three pronounced landscapes (the rocky Adriatic coast, the Pannonian Plain, and the mountains of the Dinaric Alps) that are important factors in the development of the numerous types of vernacular architecture still found.

Parent Collections
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Related Collections
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive)
Keywords
vernacular architecture
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Croatia (BHBA)

Croatia, formerly a republic in Yugoslavia, is now an independent country that was formed in 1991. Croatia declared its intention to leave the Yugoslavia federation in 1990 and did so by the end of 1991 (however armed conflicts did not end in some areas until some time in 1995). The culture of Croatia is rich and complex with connections to Slavonic, Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian folk cultures and their architectural expressions as well as other older cultures that lived along the Adriatic coast.


The country has three pronounced landscapes (the rocky Adriatic coast, the Pannonian Plain, and the mountains of the Dinaric Alps) that are important factors in the development of the numerous types of vernacular architecture still found.

Images & Videos
<p>Velika Mlaka is a village, south of Zagreb, within the Turopolje region and the municipality of Velika Gorica. The church Svete Barbare (Saint Barbara) was constructed in the 1640s. The timber structure is oak and contains intricate detail carving. The original bell tower was removed and the current structure erected in the 19th century. The side porch was added in the early 20th century.</p>
Crkva Svete Barbare, southwest view, Velika Mlaka, Croatia
digital photograph
<p>The composition of shapes and woodworking within the upper framework (pediment) and subtlety of the carved details of the chapel's entry porch is evident in this sunlit view.</p>
Crkva Svete Barbare, south entry detail, Velika Mlaka, Croatia
digital photograph
Screenshot 2023-06-20 at 3.16.15 PM.png
digital graphic
<p>Covered wooden stairways lead to the upper level living quarters of the čardak dwellings of the Turopolje and Pokuplje regions, a distinguishing feature of this vernacular building type. The two timber stair stringers were notched to accept the wooden treads and a rail set on the outer stringer to give additional shelter during inclement weather.</p><p>The house was uninhabited and deteriorating in 1988, but planned for eventual restoration as a folk museum.</p><p>(photo 1988)</p>
Kuća Jurinac, stair to living areas above; Brest Pokupski, Croatia
digital photograph
<p>This view of the apse-end of the nave includes the smaller bell tower, which is inscribed with the date 1942.</p>
Crkva Svete Barbare, view of apse, Velika Mlaka, Croatia
digital photograph
<p>The apse of the chapel shows the 'swallow's tail' (open-dovetail) joints of its horizontal oak plank construction. Elsewhere in the building local or 'German angle' joinery prevails.</p>
Crkva Svete Barbare, view from southeast, Velika Mlaka, Croatia
digital photograph
<p>The nave of the chapel dates from the 18th century. An entrance porch was later added to the southern flank of the chapel. Small windows admit light to the interior, which is notable for exceptional painted wall and ceiling panels.</p>
Crkva Svete Barbare, south view, Velika Mlaka, Croatia
digital photograph
<p>The older structures at Slunj were built of wood, their walls of horizontal planks with interlocking corner joints. Masonry foundations and wooden posts set on stones secured the buildings to the uneven terrain along the river channels. This mill incorporates six stations, each with a water chute powering a horizontal wheel connected to the grinding stones above.</p>
Wooden Dwelling and Mill Drawings. Slunj, Croatia
architectural drawing
<p>The stork (rode) is very much present on the traditional dwelling. The Turopolje region, with its slow rivers flowing across the alluvial plains, is a natural home to these birds. The verb for birth is roditi and the folklore of storks delivering infants is a part of the tradition in this region. Often one sees that the nests are constructed by the birds on top of the chimneys. (photo 1988)</p>
Storks with Nests on Dwellings, Lukavec, Croatia
digital photograph
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Parent Collections
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Related Collections
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive)
Keywords
vernacular architecture
Terms of use
Contribute
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