Marjan Park in Split - Croatia

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>>>Marian Park Forest

Marjan Park Forest	add the site name
Split	add the city name
Croatia	add the country
Stanislava Odrljin	add your name(s), optional
World Heritage	if applicable,enter the year of listing
[[File:LED_PARK FOREST MARJAN_ASSIGNMENT 1_ODRLJIN_STANISLAVA_1]

Why is this case relevant?

• The hill Marjan has had an interesting history of being a natural area that was devastated and re-naturalized by the citizens of Split. Because its history is so long, it is a very interesting case study in the relationship of people to nature within a town. Marjan has been a backdrop in the city’s vista from its beginnings. Prehistoric people lived in the oak forest on Marjan, as did solitary monks. For a period of time it was protected by Venetians and later exploited for timber. For many years it was a barren hill, until aristocrats decided to reforest it to serve as hunting grounds. During the socialist period, reforestation was an organized voluntary activity for groups of young people. Today, the result of this reforesting is an aged pine forest that is everyone’s favorite place to spend the weekend. Its cultural value comes from these layers of history which tell its story. Also fascinating is the future of the forest. The fact that it was re-forested almost a hundred years ago means that the trees are now very old, soon it will be time to introduce young trees and plants. The method and choices used, along with better knowledge of botany and ecology today can completely shape this space into a rich, new city commons in which the history of people intervening in nature can be continued in a positive way.

Which idea of ‘design with nature’ guides the design concept of this site?

• This forest is completely man-made in that almost all the trees were planted in the 18th-20th centuries. The hill, once abundant with oak trees, was exploited during the decline of the Venetian Empire. In the 18th century the agricultural and “Marijan” societies begin reforesting the hill with Aleppo Pines (Pinus halepensis). In the 20th century, animals were brought there and the entire hill was enclosed by a fence and served as a hunting ground. The animals (pheasants, deer, rabbits, turkeys) were cared for by both the hunters and the Marjan society. Pigeon houses were made for pigeons and a botanical garden was built on the southern slopes. The relationship toward nature is by today’s standards perhaps cruel (hunting), but in the context of the time, these initiatives show a curious interest of the city’s citizens in reviving the wilderness of the hill. The hill was not beautified, manicured or especially planned. Rather, it was aggressively forested - trees were even planted too close to each other. All of this gives the hill a very natural, even wild atmosphere. Today, one would never know it was artificially reforested. Today, such an undertaking would be in stride with the times, but two-hundred years ago, it must have been quite unique. One of the most interesting aspects of Marjan's history was the the reforestation was the sum of many grass-roots initiatives (from hunters to socialist youth groups). The park was not planned by the city nor by a wealthy aristocrat.

Which challenges is this landscape facing?

• Since the reforestation efforts were done before much was known about the ecology of a forest, many of the trees were planted too close to each other. Consequently, there is too much shade on the forest floor and not enought room for new trees to grow and continue the forest's life cycle. Another challenge is that mostly monocultures were planted over the entire hill (there are only a few different types of trees on Marjan). The potential of the hill as a habitat for many different species is enormous, because the hill has many different micro-climates and differing make-ups of the soil. For instance the southern side is sunny, steep with deep fertile soil. The northern side is often in the shade and has shallow, less fertile soil.

What would be your strategy for improvement?

Finally, please share some ideas of how you would initiate positive change for your heritage area

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Image Gallery

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  Split with Marjan Hill in the background. Almost all of the trees have been planted by people in the 20th century. Source: Flickr, Alberto De Marco

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  Split with Marjan Hill in the background in 1740. The hill, once covered with oak trees, is bare due to the cutting down of trees for lumber. Source: historical photograph

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  A photograph of Marjan Hill in 1870, before reforestation. Source: historical photograph

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  The north side of Marjan Hill. Tall trees create cool, shady areas. A fitness trail, bike path and beach are located on this side. Source: Flickr, Antonio Tech

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  A Sunday morning at Marjan's north side bike road. Source: own photo

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  The southern side of the hill, as seen from Kasljuni beach. Source: Flickr, ali eminov

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  The south-facing side of the hill is much sunnier and has a larger diversity of plants. In the spring wild asparagus plants grow here and though illegal, many older ladies with baskets come to pick them. Source: own photo

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  The south-facing side of Marjan Hill - with a much steeper and sunnier face than the north. There used to be a botanical garden here with greenhouses, but it is now ouot of use, yet waiting to be restored. Source: own photo

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  An overview of the south side of Marjan Hill. All of the trees are an effort of reforestation. The south side contains some vineyards and beaches but is constrcution is otherwise restricted. Source: own photo

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  In the middle ages, hermit monks looking for solitude built abodes to reside in. Source: Flickr, jonnydelaney

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  An ancient church among cactii and cliffs.

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  The east side of the hill. The city center is connected to the forest by these stepped walkway. It is a favorite climb of the locals. Source: Flickr, sbally1

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  The tradition of getting involved in taking care of the forest is kept alive today. Source: Piccsr, Skautsi

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References

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