The physical-historical overview of the churches of a greater significance in East Herzegovina in the 16th and the 17th century

Abstract

The physical-historical overview of the churches of a greater significance in East Herzegovina in the 16th and the 17th century implies the geographical definement of this region, a brief historical overview of the events with the emphasis on the geographical- territorial determinants which were being changed throughout the denoted period. The periodization of the historical events in the area of East Herzegovina has been stipulated reflecting on the geographical changes of the position of Herzegovina which was the part of the Serbian medieval state, then the part of the medieval Bosnian state and its position within the boundaries of Bosnian pashalik from 1482 to 1878. The Orthodox architectural shapes and forms, which were the most common in East Herzegovina, have been stipulated, as well as the influences which formed the Orthodox architecture in the 16th and the 17th century. The presence of the certain architectural elements, which have the recognizable characteristics and features of the neighboring cultures, has been noticed. These elements appeared as the consequence and result of the geographical and political changes of the country borders and the changes of cultural events. These changes also influenced the style and iconographic characteristics and features of the wall painting in the churches which were built or renovated during the 16th and the 17th century. Due to the cultural-geographical changes, different style characteristics and features appeared forming a diverse style and iconographic schemes in a small number of wall-painted churches in East Herzegovina in the period which has been studied and analyzed. The end of the work includes the presentation of the churches of a greater significance which were wall-painted, built or renovated in the 16th and the 17th century with concise geographical and time determinants.