Osor beyond the myth
June 2026: Special Issue of Studia Universitatis Hereditati Showcasing New Research on Osor Presented in Osor
On the feast day of St Gaudentius, the patron saint of Osor, a ceremonial presentation of the special issue of the scientific journal Studia Universitatis Hereditati 13(2)/2025, dedicated to the latest research on Osor and its wider historical context, was held on Monday, 1 June, in the lapidarium of the Osor Archaeological Collection of the Lošinj Museum.
The audience was addressed by Zrinka Ettinger Starčić, Director of the Lošinj Museum; Assoc. Prof. dr. Martina Blečić Kavur, guest editor of the issue and leader of the Slovenian branch of the project; and Prof. dr. Boris Kavur from the Department/Institute of Archaeology and Heritage. They presented the publication’s conceptual framework and highlighted the importance of a transdisciplinary approach to the study of Osor. The special issue brings together contributions from twenty researchers across four countries and offers new insights into the development of Osor from prehistory to the Roman period.
The published papers cover a wide range of research topics, including geoarchaeological and landscape analyses, investigations of prehistoric settlements and the beginnings of the Iron Age, as well as questions of Roman urbanisation, material culture, art-historical interpretation, underwater archaeology, and the contemporary presentation of underwater archaeology to wider audiences. Particular attention is devoted to understanding Osor as a historical palimpsest in which natural processes, material traces, and social practices have become intertwined over time. The volume represents a significant contribution to contemporary understandings of Osor and opens new research questions concerning its development, role, and significance within the broader Adriatic and European context. The presentation also underscored the importance of international cooperation among research institutions in studying the archaeological and cultural heritage of the northern Adriatic.
Held in the unique setting of Osor’s lapidarium, the event symbolically linked the celebration of the town’s patron saint with the latest scholarly insights into its rich heritage. In recognition of the support provided by the local community, a complimentary copy of the special issue was presented to Ariana Spajić, President of the Osor Local Committee.
4. June 2026