August 30, 2019 - Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulović Opara, has appointed Marijan Čipčić, an employee of the City Museum, and professor of history and archeologist, as the coordinator for the restoration of the Monumental Fountain (Bajamonti Fountain) on the Riva. This is the first step in the long-standing debate over the reconstruction of the fountain, which was one of the most important city symbols in the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

Recall, the Monumental Fountain was conceived by the then-mayor Antonio Bajamonti as the crown of the great event - the restoration of the water supply system from the Jadro, which still gives Split drinking water a thousand and a half years later.

It was commissioned in Milan in 1880, and water flowed from it ten years later, three months before Bajamonti's death. It has also been considered a symbol of the community of citizens, since it was funded by residents of all classes, from bishops to the poor. 

Its pools and allegorical figures symbolized the river Jadro and the Adriatic Sea, as well as mythological sea creatures, and the figure of a young man at the top of the fountain with his hand extended to the east referred to the economic orientation of Split towards the hinterland and Bosnia. Soon the fountain became an indispensable protagonist of city postcards, family photographs and monographs of Split.

It was demolished by an unknown decision of the Communist authorities on May 30, 1947, crushed with dynamite and used as a mound in road embankments, and several fragments were rescued by the Solin painter Vjekoslav Parać.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of Split’s older generation, a replica of the fountain was erected to film the Miljenko Smoje series 'Velo Misto', and whole families came to take pictures in front of the never forgotten stone beauty of Split. Unfortunately, more than thirty other public fountains and smaller fountains were erected on city streets and squares when restoring Diocletian's aqueduct in the 19th century. However, only a few smaller ones survived, and two larger ones in Đardin and Pazar.

Since the 1980s, several initiatives have been made to restore the fountain, which the new Split named 'Bajamontuša'. The first in 1990 was prompted by the restoration of the monument to Ban Jelačić in Zagreb's main square.

At the beginning of the 2000s, new initiatives were created, more than 12,000 signatures were collected, and after months of deliberation by the Monuments and Streets Commission - since no original documentation was available to allow the fountain to be reconstructed - a compromise solution was made to build a fountain that would maximally respect the appearance of the original, which was accepted by the City Council.

The initiative for the restoration of the Monumental Fountain on the Riva in Split, formed in 2016, was the most vigorous in proving that the fountain could be replicated, several models were made, and documentation was collected, but no concrete steps were taken.

In March this year, Mayor Krstulović Opara did not announce how conditions were met for the fountain to be restored. In the Split budget for 2019, HRK 250 thousand is planned for the Monumental Fountain, while HRK 2.5 million is set aside for 2020, and HRK 5 million for 2021, which amounts to HRK 7.75 million or about one million euros over three years. 

The named coordinator Čipčić said that his tasks were defined: proposing procedures for the implementation of the Monumental Fountain, monitoring the implementation of activities, proposing the dynamics of drafting technical documentation, preparing and monitoring information and educational activities, and reporting to the mayor on the dynamics of the project.

“The fact that the mayor has appointed a coordinator for the reconstruction project demonstrates that there is a strong will to finally and in the near future resolve the issue, to the delight of the many Split citizens whose ancestors co-financed its construction. Initiatives for its renovation date back to the late 1970s when a model was temporarily installed to film the series 'Velo Misto'.

After the Commission for its Restoration was established at the Friends of Cultural Heritage Society in 2005, the restoration initiatives were intensified. I recall on this occasion the decisions of the City Council of 2006 and 2016, which decided that the Monumental Fountain would be restored, and Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara, following these qualities, included the funds for its reconstruction in the budget for this and next year,” says Čipčić, and reveals:

“The Conservation study is completed, which was sent for expert opinion to the Croatian Council for Cultural Property, the Ministry of Culture, and an advisory body for performing professional and other tasks in the field of protection and preservation of cultural property. My appointment followed this,” he adds, and points out that it is difficult to talk about deadlines the same day he was appointed to the position of coordinator.

“Everyone has their own opinion and that is quite legitimate. The vast majority of our fellow citizens are in favor of rebuilding the Monumental Fountain, as evidenced by various initiatives and signed petitions. But what is certainly important to emphasize here is that the decisions to renovate the Monumental Fountain were made legitimately within the institutions. Here again, I am reminded of the 2006 and 2016 City Council decisions.

That's the merit of things. The renovation of the fountain on the waterfront in Split will re-enrich this space, as it ideally agrees with the close architectural forms of that part of Riva. The act of its restoration will correct one major historical injustice,” concludes Coordinator Čipčić.

You can read more about the fountain here.

Translated from Slobodna Dalmacija.

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A look at Bajamonti fountain in history with the help of Facebook group Split kroz povijest. 

Trg Republike (Republic Square) is a large open square located just west of Riva, past Marmontova. It is surrounded on three sides by an elaborate red neo-Renaissance structure known as Prokurative. Locals therefore call the square Prokurative and rarely by its real name. The southern side of the square is open, providing a breathtaking view of the harbor front.

Prokurative was built in the 19^th century under the supervision of General Marmont and initiated by Split’s famed mayor Antonio Bajamonti. The design of Prokurative is largely inspired by architecture in Italy during the time of construction and closely resembles St. Mark’s Square in Venice. As a matter of fact, the architect of Prokurative was from Venice himself and wanted to build a structure that reminded him of home as he missed his city. Looking straight onto the square with the Adriatic at your back, run you eye above the length of the archways on your left and then on your right. On the left side, you will notice a series of captivating carved reliefs beneath the windows however, as you shift your eyes to the colonnade on the right, you will notice that there are no carvings along the whole stretch. It is said that the architect missed his Venice so much that he returned home before the project was complete, and therefore this section of the Prokurative remained unfinished.

During the wintertime Prokurative remains quite deserted however, as soon as the sun shines, the café chairs get occupied and children play ball on the square. On the square you will find the new and popular Bajamonti eatery and café, the Bellevue hotel, and the seasonal Spalatin restaurant. Prokurative is also the venue for a myriad of events, most notably the Split Music Festival.

At the foot of the steps leading down from Prokurative towards Riva, a rather dull fountain will meet you. A grand fountain was once located here called Monumentalna Fontana or Bajamontuša erected in the late 19^th century by famous Italian sculptor Luigi Ceccona. Its construction was also initiated by mayor Bajamonti and was a symbol of his success in bringing running water into the city. The fountain was destroyed in 1947 by city authorities as a symbol of fascism and Italian occupation. Some of the carved heads from this fountain can be found in Split City Museum today.

Bajamonti is named after the legendary mayor of Split who implemented the construction of the neo-Renaissance Prokurative where the restaurant sits today. Other than a picturesque sea view from the terrace, Bajamonti spans across two levels with dining in the gallery where you can observe the café life below. The 1920’s style elegant interiors pay tribute to cinema with subtle details such as classic movie posters; quite suitable as this location, just three years ago, housed the Marjan cinema.

The Bajamonti Café is a bustling hotspot for the city’s aristocrats as they sip their Lavazza coffee and flavour the cake selection of the day, and at times, a pianist plays soothing tunes in the background. The restaurant above has a seasonal menu with classical and international fare prepared with a contemporary twist. Bajamonti’s risotto selection are an isolated reason to pay a visit; the signature beef fillet risotto with balsamic vinegar, honey, Plavac Mali wine, and Mediterranean herbs is a treat for the senses.

Recently, Bajamonti has turned their focus on seafood and promise the freshest catch prepared with contemporary flair.

They also have a juicy steak menu with a selection of side dishes and sauces, home-made pastas, and the absolutely fabulous dessert assortment which is one of the most sumptuous in town. Even if you didn’t come for a meal, you can allow yourself to drool over a portion of figs cooked in prošek with a cinnamon mascarpone cream.

The wine list is concise with great representations of Dalmatia and Croatia available by the bottle and by the glass.

Trg Republike 1 (Prokurative Square)

21000 Split, Croatia

+385(0)21 341 033