Carved Inscriptions
Tvrdalj has numerous carved inscriptions in Latin, Croatian and Italian. These date from the original building by Peter Hektorović.
| Location | Inscription | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Above the entrance to the fishpond | PETRUS HECTOREUS MARINI FILIUS PROPRIO SUMPTU ET INDUSTRIA AD SUUM ET AMICORUM USUM CONSTRUXIT | Petar Hectorović, son of Marino, at his own expense and by his own effort built this for the use of himself and his friends |
| On a plaque in the wall under the arcade by the fishpond | FEDE E REALTA O QUANTO E BELLA | How beautiful faith and truth are! |
| On the south side of the fishpond | RESPICE QUOD SALVANT NEC OPES NEC GLORIA MUNDI NON DECOR AUT AETAS MORS QUIA CUNCTA RAPIT | Remember that neither riches nor fame, beauty nor age can save you from death, that takes all |
| On the east side of the fishpond | NIHIL OCCULTUM | Nothing is hidden Above the inscription is the imprint of plates and jugs that were once built into the wall |
| On the wall near the ethnographic collection | SI VIS AD VITAM INGREDI SERVA MANDATA | If you want to enter the spirit, observe this |
| On the west side of the fishpond | CONNVENTIBUS VIRTUTE ET GENIO F. | Built by uprightness and skill working together The relief above the inscription has the symbols: two compasses, a wheel, and the faces of a man and woman radiating light |
| On the north side of the fishpond | MEMORARE NOVISSIMA | Remember what will come after |
| On the west side outer wall | HEU FUGIUNT FLUXU NON REDEUNTE DIES | Alas the days flow by like waves and do not return |
| On the front of the building | OMNIUM CONDITORI | Creator of all things |
| On the east side entrance (paupers and travellers) | MISLI KI ČTIŠ OVOJ // DVI STVARI KORISNE
DA TE U VIČNJI ZNOJ // ZGRIŠANJE NE TISNE A TO DA Ć UMRITI // TER PUSTI ZLE ČUDI I NAPOKON PRITI // K BOGU DA TE SUDI |
Let you who read this think on two important things in order that your sins do not force you into eternal suffering, and this that you will die so rid yourself of your evil ways and that finally you will stand before God who will judge you |
| On the east side corner | REX ET NOMINE | A thing from its name |
| On the lavatory wall | SI TE NOSTI CUR SUPERBIS | Know thou what thou art then why art thou proud? |
Read more about this topic: Tvrdalj Castle
Famous quotes containing the words carved and/or inscriptions:
“Our minds can go no further. The human imagination is capable of no further expression of beauty than the carved owl of Athene, the archaic, marble serpent, the arrogant selfish head of the Acropolis Apollo.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
““Our earth is degenerate in these latter days. Bribery and corruption are common. Children no longer obey their parents. . . . The end of the world is evidently approaching.” Sound familiar? It is, in fact, the lament of a scribe in one of the earliest inscriptions to be unearthed in Mesopotamia, where Western civilization was born.”
—C. John Sommerville (20th century)