THE SACRALISATION OF PETROVARADIN IN THE 18TH CENTURY

The Baroque sacralisation of the contemporary territory of Vojvodina was initiated by monastic orders, namely the Jesuits and the Franciscans. The suburbs of the Petrovaradin Fortress played a pioneering role in this process. In addition to the activities of monastic orders, sacralisation manifested across a broad spectrum of expressions. This included the construction of chapels, calvaries, and Stations of the Cross, as well as the erection of public sculptures—most notably monumental votive monuments dedicated to the Holy Trinity in town squares—and the placement of devotional statues within the facade niches of private residences. Furthermore, sacralisation was articulated through ephemeral events, such as theatrical performances staged within sacred spaces or at specific stations throughout settlements, as well as various religious processions. Private spaces were similarly sacralised through collecting of venerated Marian imagery. Conversely, a counter-process of sacralisation emerged, particularly during the reforms of Emperor Joseph II (1780–1790), which led to the dissolution of numerous monasteries—including those in Petrovaradin—and the subsequent liquidation of ecclesiastical inventories.