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FERHAD MULABEGOVIĆ Some experiences of revitalizing structures that belong to cultural and historic heritage
MITREUM IN JAJCE (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA) In antiquity, between the 2nd and the 4th centuries, Mitra divinity was widespread, and having come from the Middle East, it has left nearly 100 structures on the territory of former Yugoslavia. During the construction of a residence structure on a privately owned land in Jajce in 1932, there were remains of the Mitreum found (located nearly 2 meters below the present-day terrain surface). The building of the residence was halted. The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina took action to save this unique monument in 1938, and it built a temporary structure above the excavated remains, using traditional materials. After nearly 70 years of protection, a devastation of the structure occurred, which had a role of primary protection, while humidity problems appeared as well, so painting polychromy started to disappear in the Mitreum (itself being hewn out of solid rock). A question arose whether to repair the damaged protective monument, or to offer a new solution (with conservation works on the monument itself), and open it to public. The authors (S. Mulaomerović, F. Mulabegović) decided to offer a solution which would present a wider area of the Mitreum in a modern fashion. The monument was placed into a glass cube, in a steel protective vault construction (which reminds of a vault - there are indications that a large part of the shrine was in caves, partially dug-inthe-ground spaces which were vaulted). The space around the monument was opened in the approaching part for visitors (having descending steps and in amphitheatrical shape). The entire space was made in natural materials (a local plivite), with a protective fence of laminated glass. The illumination of the structure was connected to the public lighting. This aspect of illumination opens the monument to all visitors, regardless of time of a visit (day or night).9
9 Studio Urbing d.o.o. Sarajevo