Az aracsi templomrom műemlékvédelmi beavatkozásokat dokumentáló XX. századi fényképeinek leíró katalógusa
Descriptive catalogue of 20th century photographs documenting the monument protection interventions of the Aracs church ruins

Author(s): Endre Raffay
Subject(s): Architecture, History of Art
Published by: Pécsi Tudományegyetem Művészeti Kar Művészettörténet Tanszék
Keywords: Arača church ruins; monument preservation; architectural restoration; medieval heritage; conservation photography; archaeological excavation; Gothic architecture; reconstruction history; historical documentation; Carpathian Basin
Summary/Abstract: The study presents a descriptive catalogue of twentieth-century photographs documenting monument preservation interventions carried out at the ruins of the Arača church. It analyzes visual sources ranging from the nineteenth century to the late twentieth century in order to reconstruct the history of restoration activities and architectural transformations of the site. The article emphasizes that the earliest known depictions of the ruins appeared in illustrated Hungarian newspapers in the mid-nineteenth century, while the first scientific documentation dates from the 1860s. Particular attention is devoted to the preservation works of 1898, whose traces remained visible on photographs taken during the twentieth century. The author examines the photographic legacy of Konstantin Vukov from the 1920s, which provides the earliest visual evidence of the restoration interventions and structural stabilizations undertaken at the ruins. The study also discusses the photographs made by R. Mamuzić in the 1950s, documenting the condition of the monument before the extensive archaeological excavations and reconstructions of the 1970s. The article analyzes the excavation and restoration photographs of T. and K. Pivnički, which illustrate the rebuilding of pillars, arches, walls, and roofing elements during the campaigns directed by Milka Čanak-Medić. Detailed architectural observations are provided regarding masonry repairs, reconstructed vaulting elements, stabilization methods, and the use of reinforced concrete structures during conservation works. The study highlights the importance of historical photographs as primary sources for understanding lost architectural details and for evaluating the authenticity of restoration approaches. Ultimately, the catalogue contributes to the broader history of monument preservation in the Carpathian Basin and demonstrates how visual documentation supports the interpretation and conservation of medieval architectural heritage.

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