Tornice and šterne

Tornica

A tornica is a typical architectural element of houses in rural areas in Kvarner. It is a semi-circular extension of the kitchen with a fireplace and chimney, a place where the family would gather to eat and warm themselves in winter. A fireplace typically featured a wrought iron wood holder, a poker and other tools, tripods and a chain on which a kettle was hung for cooking meals or boiling water. The fireplace also featured a grill for fish, clay dishes, pots, baking lids (peka or čripnja) for baking bread or potatoes, and jugs for wine and water, known locally as bukaleta. Sometimes a tornica would have a wood-fired oven (peknjica).

Šterne

Water has always been a fundamental human need. In villages that were far from water sources, people used to build wells. Since their construction was a financially and architecturally demanding task, communal wells were built, usually in a central spot. In the past, private water wells were rare and closely guarded.

Communal water wells were places where people would come not only to get water, but also to exchange information, spend time with others, take a break, tell stories, sing and have fun. If you visit Viškovo during the summer months, join us in at the ‘Šterne – a source of life’ series of events that bring these places back to life, if only for a while.