Jajce Mithraeum
Jajački mitrej | |
Alternative name | Jajački Mithraeum |
---|---|
Location | Mitrasova, Jajce 70101, 87R8+8C Jajce |
Region | Central Bosnia Canton |
Coordinates | 44°20′27″N 17°15′58″E / 44.3407623°N 17.2660339°E |
Type | Temple, sanctuary |
Length | around 7 metres (23 ft) |
Width | less than 7 metres (23 ft) |
Height | floor level is 2.80 metres (9.2 ft) below ground level |
History | |
Founded | early 4th century AD |
Abandoned | Not known |
Periods | Roman Imperial |
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1931 |
Archaeologists | Dimitrije Sergejevski |
Ownership | Public |
Public access | Limited |
Designation | |
Official name | Mithraeum in Jajce, the historic (antique religious) monument |
Type | Category 0 monument |
Criteria | A, B, E ii.iii.iv.v., F i.ii.iii., G i.iii.v., H i., I i. |
Designated | 21 January 2003 (?th session, No. 06-6-743/03) |
Part of | Jajce, the historic site (2494) |
Reference no. | 1317 |
State | National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Operator | Agency for Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage and Development of Tourist Potential of Town Jajce |
The Jajce Mithraeum, or Jajački Mithraeum (
History
Mithra was worshipped throughout the
The temple dates to the early 4th century AD, although it could be as ancient as the 2nd century AD with repairs undertaken during the early 4th century AD.
This particular Mithraeum is one of the best preserved sites in Europe.
The Jajce site is a typical spelaea. Mithraism followers typically sought to set up their places of worship in caves. In absence of such topographical features, they excavated the soil and built small single-celled temple (spelaea) to reinforce the impression of a cave.
Discovery and protection
The remains of the Mithraeum in Jajce were discovered accidentally during excavation for the construction of a private house in 1931.[1]
The site was purchased by the Society for the Preservation of Antiquities in Jajce and soon after a protective stone and mortar structure was constructed under the supervision of engineer F. Steiner. This structure was repaired in 1952 and survived until 2012, despite significant damage suffered during the Bosnian War.
A new facility replaced the previous one following the 2012 renovation, which cost approximately 260,000
The temple is now protected by a modern steel-and-girder cage with glass walls that allows visitors to see inside without entering. Visitors can enter with advance notice by contacting the Ethnological Museum of Jajce.
The Jajce Mithraeum is declared a
See also
References
- ^ a b c "The historic (antique religious) monument of the Mithraeum in Jajce". old.kons.gov.ba (in English and Bosnian). Commission to preserve national monuments. 12 January 2003. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ISBN 9788671230193. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ Basler, Đuro (1972). Arhitektura: kasnoantickog doba u Bosni i Hercegovini (in Bosnian and Croatian). Veselin Masleša. p. 65. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "The natural and architectural ensemble of Jajce – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- ^ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Tentative Lists: Bosnia and Herzegovina". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.