The Pre-Romanesque Reliefs from the Church of St Lawrence in Morinje near Sibenik

Ukataloškom pregledu objavljuju se ulomci predromaničkih reljefa koji su tijekom jednog stoljeća slučajno ili u sustavnim istraživanjima pronadeni kod gotičke crkvice Sv. Lovre u šibenskom Donjem polju. Upozorava se na značajno veliki broj ulomaka arhitektonske plastike koji upućuju na veći crkveni kompleks. Posebno se raspravlja o pojedinim dijelovima crkvenog namještaja, osobito jednoj kamenici, različitim trabeacijama s natpisima od kojih jedan nudi dataciju najvjerovatnij\u27e u 917. ili 1017. godinu. Nastanak objekta povezuje se uz zadužbinu nekog hrvatskog vladara ili drugog visokog dostojanstvenika.!be fragments ofpre-Romanesque reliejs that were discovered during the course of a century either by chance or through systematic excavation at the Gothic church of St Lawrence in Donje Polje at Šibenik are presented here in catalogue form. Attention is drawn to the significantly large number offragments of architectural decoration, which would indicate an architecturally complicated ecclesiastical complex. Individuals groups offragments related to church furnishings are analyzed in a more detailed manner. One stone that is open on the back is particularly discussed, and its reconstruction with a trabeation is suggested. !be originalfunction remains unclear, but it is reminiscent in appearance to an ambo or even a baptismal receptacle fastened to or leant against a wall. !bis stylistic group includes a fragment with the inscription remains SIMO XVII IN, and the following readings are suggested: (octingente)simo XVII in(dictione X), (nonagente)simo XVII inedictione V), (mille)simo XVII in(dictione XV). !be variant with the year 917, or even that with 1017, is considered more acceptable. Further discussion centers on the dedication of the structure, and the inscriptions indicate an entire series ofpatron saints: SS Cosmos and Damian, St Lawrence, St Florian, St ),1ichael, and perhaps even certain other names. Several phases and adaptation of the church furnishings are confirmed, in which certain inscriptions were hewed off, certain architraves were sho11ened, neu\u27 architraves were carved from earlier pilasters, and were incorporated with newly carved elements, integrated into a whole, and provided with uniform inscriptions. Particular attention is paid to a classical stele which served as the lintelfor the mediaeval stnlcture, later receiving the inscription BORTOLO. !be creation of this inscription is interpreted as being related to the attempts by the citizens ofŠibenik to receive their own episcopal see, in which they succeeded at the end of the 13th century. For this purpose, they falsified various historical facts, among which should be included citation of the nearbyestate of the J10nastery of St Bartbolomew in Knin, whose church was the cathedral of Knin from the beginning oft he 13th century. !be ol\u27ip,in of the structure is interpreted as a royal endowment from the early Middle Ages, which was handed over by royal decree to the administration of the royal monastery of St Bartholomew in Knin, together with its estates at Morinje, where even today the toponym Bortolovšćina is preserved