The Captain's tower in Bihac

Doc.dr. Maja Popovac dipl.ing.arh

Faculty of Civil Engineering
University Dzemal Bijedic, Mostar
e mail: maja.popovac@unmo.ba


ABSTRACT
Kapetanova Kula is situated in Old city core of Bihac, and it is proclaimed National
monument under governmental protection.
Todays condition of the monument is poor due to serious destruction of the faade
by the atmospheric waters.
The project covers repair of the walls from both sides, substitution of openings,
amendment of roof covering, major changes in ground floor (pavement and partition).
Currently, this monument is transformed into a museum. It is important to have
perfect condition for artefacts as well as for the building itself. That is why, we
proposed the system of ventilation and heating. Main source of energy would be
water/water heat pump and ventilation unit would be placed under the roof.
KEYWORDS
Bihac, Captains, tower, reconstruction, historic, stone

Figure 1. Captains tower in Austro-Hungarian period
ABOUT THE MONUMET
Status of property
Fixed architectural property (together with Fethija mosque with harem
(courtyard/burial ground), nine tombstones and epitaphs)
The Captain's tower in Biha was listed in the register of the Institute for the
Protection of Cultural Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina under serial no. 62.
By Ruling of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Bosnia and
Herzegovina no. 890/51 of 24 October1951 the property was placed under state
protection.
By Ruling of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Bosnia and
Herzegovina no. 02-705-3 of 18 April 1962 the property was protected and registered
as a cultural monument. This decision entered into force on 23 October 1962.
The property is on the Provisional List of National Monuments of the Commission to
Preserve National Monuments under serial no. 47.

1012
1011
SENZOR
RAMPA
tro
ta
r-ka
m
e
n
e
p
lo
ce
tro
ta
r-ka
m
e
n
e
p
lo
ce
tro
ta
r-ka
m
e
n
e
p
lo
ce
trotar
kamene ploce
A
S
F
A
L
T
N
I K
O
L
O
V
O
Z
B
E
T
.IV
IC
N
JA
K
kamene ploce
BET.IVICNJAK
ASFALTNI KOLOVOZ
RAIFFASEN BANKA
ULICA KULINA BANA
GROBNICA BIHACKOG PLEMSTVA
KAPETANOVA KULA
TURBE
kota platoa
kota ulaznog podesta
kota trotoara
kota zida
A3 Decembar 2009. god.
U Mostaru
BR. PROTOKOLA:
Velicina papira
BR. NACRTA:
Saradnik projektanta: Rahimic ani, dipl.ing.grad.
Voditelj projekta: Doc.dr. Maja Popovac, dipl.ing.arh.
NACRT:
01
M.P.
MJERILO:
USRC ''Mithat Hujdur-Hujka''; 88104 Mostar; Bosna i Hercegovina; tel.: + 387 36 514 854; tel/fax.: + 387 36 514 856; e-mail: gfmos@yahoo.com Raiffeisen banka dd Mostar; iro racun: 16102000030300184
UNIVERZITET "DEMAL BIJEDIC"
GRAEVINSKI FAKULTET
ZAVOD ZA PROJEKTOVANJE I
ISPITIVANJE MATERIJALA I
KONSTRUKCIJA
PREDMET:
PROJEKTANT:
OBJEKAT:
INVESTITOR:
1:200 SITUACIJA
Ovlateni projektant: Ismet Hajduk, dipl.ing.grad.
Tehnicka kontrola: Doc.dr. Armin Hadrovic, dipl.ing.grad.
BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA
FEDERACIJA BiH
UNSKO-SANSKI KANTON
J.U. ZAVOD ZA ZATITU
KULTURNOG NASLIJEA
Ulica 5. korpusa broj 2. , 77000 Bihac, Bosna i Hercegovina Telefon/fax: 037 220 348


Figure 2. Captains tower - location
Location
The Captain's tower in Bihac is situated in center of the city, GaziHusref Begova
street, on the left bank of the river Una, within the former city walls. It is located on a
site designated as cadastral plot no. 5120 in Land Register of City of Bihac.
The tower is in complex of monuments together with St. Ante church tower and tomb
of Bihacs aristocracy. Entire complex is placed on three meters high base,
surrounded by support walls from the front and beginning of the sides, while in the
back they are partially demolished. Current situation of the walls is poor, due to soil
pressure, aggressive tree roots and rain water. .
Allocation
This monument is currently used as a museum, with permanent exhibition of
historical findings and documents from Bihac area.
Area
Courtyard 2377m
Monument 104m
Historical information
Toponym Bihac dates from 1260. from a charter of Hungary's King Bela IV. In
mediaeval times the town developed as a free royal borough with a fortress and two
monasteries, one Dominican and one Franciscan, several churches, a large number
of commercial and residential buildings, and several defence towers.
In the 16th century Bihac and its surrounding fortified towns became part of the so-
called Military Frontier consisting of a defensive zone fortified against the increasingly
frequent incursions by Ottoman troops.
The Ottoman Army, led by the Bey of the Segedin Sanjak, Hasan Pasha Predojevic,
occupied the town in June 1592. Over the next three centuries Bihac was to be an
important fortress in the extreme west for the Ottoman Empire and the point of
departure for Ottoman incursions and steady pressure on the borders of Croatia.
The chronicler Ivan Tomasic is of the view, which he bases on H. Strauss and
Bihake kule i gradine (Bihac's Towers and Castle) (publ. Oblitelj, Zagreb 1923), that
the Captain's tower was built around 1205 and that it was one of four towers in Bihac,
three of which were destroyed in 1291/92.
Kresevljakovic notes that there were three towers in Bihac, the remains of the Bihac
fort referred to above. "The first of the towers was demolished in 1870, the second in
1889, and the third is still standing, being used as a prison. This tower was the
headquarters of the Captains of Bihac. It was built before 1592." (Hamdija
Kreevljakovi, 1954, p. 71).
With the arrival of the Austro-Hungarians, the tower was converted into a prison.
From then on, until well after Bihac had spread beyond its ramparts, the Captain's
tower was used solely as a prison. It remained in use as the district prison until 1959.
In the 1970s the building was restored and converted for use as a museum.

Figure 3. and 4. Captains tower today

Climate
Bihac climate is moderately continental with warm summers and cold winters. The
temperature varies from -22C in winter to +35C during the summer time., with
average temperature of 12C. Average precipitation is 1250 1500 mm.
Variation in winter day/night temperatures are very unfavourable for the Captains
Tower masonry. The ice on the structure surface is melting during the daily sun, and
in the form of water it is getting deeper in the joints and cracks. During the night, with
minus temperatures, the water froze making further damage while it expands to ice.

0 '0 0
+ 6 '3 7
+ 6 '8 0
+ 9 '7 7
+ 1 0 '2 0
+ 1 3 '1 7
+ 1 3 '6 0
+ 1 6 '5 7
+ 1 7 '0 0
+ 1 9 '5 7
+ 2 0 '0 0
+ 2 7 '0 5
-0 '1 0
-1 '1 0
kot a ul ice
PRESJEK 1 -1
POGLED 4 POGLED 2
POGLED 1
P 1 -1
P 1 -1
P 2 -2 P 2 -2
PRESJEK C-C
PRESJEK D-D
PRESJEK C-C
PRESJEK D-D
PRESJEK A-A PRESJEK B-B
POGLED 3
- _4OpC4CO]OpCC
-p]4EgCOEE_C
-4COOE .]O
kamena obloga 5cm estrih 5cm H.I.+T.I.+H.I. 10cm nivelacioni beton 10cm tampon 10cm
injekciona masa protiv kapilarne vlage 5rupa /m
+21,55 kota makaza 8/16
+24,35 kota podronjace
makaze 8/16
podronjaca 12/12
kosnik 15/15
kosnik 15/15
stub 20/20
+24,05
kota kosnika
stub 12/12
makaze 8/16
+20,00 kota stropne grede
+20,35 kota oslonca vjealjke
+20,65 kota vjencanice grede
+21,63 kota makaza
+36,65 kota visulje
visulja 12/12
+40,05 kota krova +40,05 kota krova
+36,65 kota visulje
+24,35 kota podronjace
+20,35 kota oslonca vjealjke
+20,00 kota stropne grede
+20,65 kota vjencanice grede
+21,63 kota makaza
postojece grede H.I.+T.I. drveni ieti
+36,53 kota visulje +36,53 kota visulje
_
.
.
.
.



.

l .
.


_
_:_

_
_

.

. .
.
l
rog 10/14
rog 10/14
dacana oplta
dacana oplta
dacana oplta
asvaltna obloga/cesta tampon drenani tampon 16-30 drenani tampon 30-60 drenana cijev nivelacioni beton 10cm tampon 10cm
kamena obloga tampon drenani tampon 16-30 drenani tampon 30-60 drenana cijev nivelacioni beton 10cm tampon 10cm
INVESTITOR
LOKALITET-
OBJEKAT KAPETANOVA KULA U BIHACU
VRSTA
PROJEKTA GLAVNI
NAZIV CRTEA PRESJEK 1-1
FAZA Sanacija
VODITELJ
PROJEKTA
PROJEKTANTI
TEHNICKA
KONTROLA
ISTRAIVACKI
TIM
OBRADA NACRTA Kadic Amir
BROJ
PROJEKTA DIREKTOR
ZAVOD ZA ZATITU KULTURNOG NASLIJEA BIHAC
R 1:75
postojece stanje
broj lista: 8 Zavod za zatitu kulturnog naslijeda Bihac
JU Zavod za zatiti kulturnog naslijeda Bihac
MIRZET MUJADIC, konzervator i restaurator
mr. Amir Kadic, dia
ehic Sanda , d.i.a.
MIRZET MUJADIC, konzervator i restaurator
Zavod za zatitu kulturnog naslijeda Bihac
Toromanovic Ademir
-indra/dvoslojna/kesten -letva -pocincani lim -bit.ljepenka -dacana oplata -H.I+T.I/izmedu rogova -rog
ELEMENTI KOJI SE ZAMJENJUJU
Iz razloga pucanja i pomijeranja krovnog
pokrivaca dovelo je do vlaenja pojedinih
greda i oplate krova, te njihovog propadanja.
Prilikom skidanja krovnog pokrivaca i krovne
oplate na licu mjesta ce se provjeriti
stabilnost postojecih greda te ako je potrebno
da se pojedine zamjene.
Kod zamjene krovnog pokrivaca i greda
izvrit ce se i promjena vrste pokrivaca, tj.
neprimjerene tegole u indru.
Izmedu greda se planira postaviti
termoizolacija.
000 277
03.07.2009.
_
.
.
.
.



.

l .
.


_
+21,55 kota makaza 8/16
+223,89 kota makaza +23,89 kota makaza
ELEMENTI KOJI SE ZAMJENJUJU
Prodor kapilarne vlage ulovio je pucanju
podne obloge i pojavljivanje zine pljesni.
projektom je prevideno da se skine sva podna
obloga (min 50cm od sadanje situacije), te
injektira sredstvo sa sprecavanje prodora
kapulara, postavi novi pod sa potrebnim
slojevima termo i hidro izolacije.
l

Figure 5. Captains tower cross section
Current condition of the monument
Captains tower in Bihac is a monument that went through numerous reconstructions.
Available documents shows that this tower was built at the beginning of the 13
th

century, but we find no records about its original appearance. It served for different
purposes from defence tower, Ottoman Captain headquarters, Austro-Hungarian
and Yugoslav jail, until it became museum in mid of the 20
th
century. Different
assignments led to numerous transformations visible mainly on windows and
interior arrangement. Small and irregularly placed medieval and Ottoman windows
were enlarged and regularly aligned in Austro-Hungarian period, and then again in
1969 reconstruction returned to Ottoman-time scheme and shape.
Current condition of the Captains Tower is very serious. Seemingly stiff and solid
structure of the Tower is damaged initially by the rain water, and the by different
vegetation (grass, moos, small bushes).
Due to enormous quantity of water that residue in the walls, just by entering to the
ground floor of the Tower, one can feel great humidity. This is effecting not just the
structure of the walls, but also the condition of the artefacts, and health of the visitors
and staff.
Considering the fact that the Tower is situated at the highest spot of the plateau and
that the most visible impairments are in the zone of the rain water affluence from the
roof, the conclusion was unanimous the water in the structure is coming from the
cracks in the outer side of the walls.
Long time exposure to the atmospheric water and humidity in the walls contributed to
destruction of the mortar on the faade and inside of the structure. Thanks to the
admirable thickness of the walls, the situation is currently not critical, but if this
exposure to damaging factor continues the problem will shortly cause serious
structural damage.
Also, one of the problems is adverse ascent of the paved courtyard in front of the
entrance to the Tower, which causes direct flow of the rain water to the structure.
The roof structure is in good condition, except of one small hole in the roof cover.
Previous interventions in the interior of the Tower were numerous an aggressive.
Every single wall carries traces of the cement mortar, inadequate repairs, electric
cables and also burn in the ground floor. Last floor shows very visible reinforced
concrete beam. In the ground floor there are some partitions made of different
materials, mostly wood, which are unsuitable.
Project phases
Considering the fact that the financial side of all reconstructions in BiH is poor, the
project foresees four phases of the reconstruction ( dependant on the assured grant):
Phase 1
1. scaffolding
2. roof reconstruction ( shingle and roof window)
3. faade repair (cleaning, joints repair, protection layer)
4. injection works
5. window replacement (3 layer glass), repair of the stone frames, missing
caging
6. repair of the plateau ascent in front of the Tower
Phase 2
1. repair of the ground floor ( lower layers and pavemet)
2. toilette
3. electric installation
4. repair of the interior walls
5. glass partitions in the ground floor
6. entrance door and windshield
Phase 3
1. protection layer smear for the interior walls
2. sandpapering and painting of the floor constructions
3. assemblage of the wooden ceiling in first three floors
4. carpets on floors 1 to 4
Phase 4
1. ventilation system (including previous construction works on the attic for the
air-conditioning unit, openings for 24 air throttles under the roof)


Figure 6. Example of scaffolding Figure 7. Example of shingles
RECONSTRUCTION WORKS
Scaffolding assembly
The scaffolding would be mounted around the entire Tower and will be used for
works on the roof, repair of the walls.
Roof exchange
Current roof covering is inappropriate and damaged. The roof construction is in good
condition and needs no intervention except possible cleaning and protection coating.
The roof will have no thermal insulation. On the roof construction it is necessary to
mount wooden flooring, hydro insulation, vertical battens, longitudinal battens and
wooden shingle made of chestnut three.
Also, for the air-conditioning unit air throttles should be made under the crown of the
wall, as well as some strengthening of the structure for the a-c unit weight. Thermal
insulation will be added in the floor construction.

Figure 8. and 9. Faade damage
Faade repair
This activity is the key for the longevity of the Captains tower. They will be performed
in few phases:
1. cleaning of the faade with metal and plastic brushes (joints and stone
surface)
2. removal of the cement mortar
3. removal of the damaged lime mortar
4. replacement of the damaged and missing stone blocks
5. repointing of the joints
6. injection works (lime hydraulic mortar Rofix 993)
7. covering stone protection coating
Earthworks
In order to be able to perform injection works it will be necessary to excavate 80cm
from inner and outer side of the walls, and 50cm on entire inside of the tower.
For the repair of the adverse ascent it will be necessary to excavate average 20 cm
on entire plateau in front of the Tower.
Removal of the partitions in the ground floor
Dismantle all wooden parts and pay special attention to the brick wall laying on the
inside part of the stone wall.
New flooring in the ground floor
After the injection works two 20cm layers of tampon (up to 30mm) will be laid. After
that, 5cm thick stone pavement will be laid onto a layer of sand (1-4mm).
Walls repair from inner side
Walls on ground, first and second floor will require same treatment as faade.
Second floor masonry is not so representative, and the project specifies at least 3
layers of lime coating. Third floor was plastered and it went through recent
reconstruction, and it will need no further interventions.
Fourth floor shows reinforced concrete beams under the ceiling it would require
some minor removal of the concrete and same treatment as second floor.

Figure 10. Ground floor today Figure 11. 4
th
floor today
Floor construction
This task will require just sandpapering and painting of the floor constructions,
assemblage of the wooden ceiling in first three floors, and laying of the carpets in
last 4 floors.
Window replacement
As this reconstruction is meant not only to preserve the monument, but also to
improve the conditions in entire facility and save the energy, windows are very
important part of the assignment. Although average reconstruction does not foresee
three layer glass with insulation gas and Low e coating this one is an exception.

As I mentioned above, the windows on this monument were subject of constant
change. That, and the fact that the walls are extremely thick - allows us to consider
thicker window frames with three layer glass.
Before the windows are to be built in, it is necessary to change all damaged stone
frames and caging.
Electric installations
Current installations are old, damaged and bad looking. New project implies
telescopic column by the staircase through entire Tower. This column would also
carry all switches an plug-inns. Other electric cables would be led under the ceiling.
Lights foreseen by project are on trails, mounted on the wooden beams of the floor
structure.
Water and sewage
Water and sewage will use existing connections.
New partitions in ground floor
Ground floor requires new space organization because of the museum. All walls
accept toilette will be out of tempered glass, with one doors. This kind of structure is
light and easy to assemble with minimum damage to historical structure. Water/water
heat pump would be placed inside this new room for staff.
Ventilation
In order to provide longevity and good conditions within the Tower, it is important to
provide perfect ventilation. As the flooring structure is not historical it will be
possible to place the pipes in corners on the tower. Main source of energy would be
water-water heat pump.

Figure 12. 2
nd
floor Figure 13. Detail - 1
th
floor
CONCLUSION
Captains Tower in Bihac requires serious reconstruction of stone walls. Current
condition shows that damage is result of aggressive atmospheric water followed by
vegetation. After the consolidation of the walls from both sides and injection works, it
will be possible to prevent leaks into the structure.
Air-conditioning unit will require air throttles made under the crown of the wall, as well
as some strengthening of the structure for the main unit weight.
Roof covering should be changed and replaced by traditional chestnut shingles.
Thermal insulation should be placed in upper floor ceiling (fitted in roof construction).
Widows should be made with three layer glass (Low e + argon filling).
Electric installations should go through telescopic pipe by the staircase. Light should
be adjustable and light weight.
Partition walls in the ground floor should be mostly made of tempered glass.
Ventilation will be very important in this facility because of assurance of its
longevity as well as because of the valuable artefacts. Unit place under the roof will
provide necessary air exchange in entire building. Main source of energy would de
water-water heat pump situated in the ground floor.
REFERENCES
1. Lopai, Radoslav, Biha i Bihaka krajina (Biha and the Biha Frontier Region),
Zagreb, 1890,
2. Truhelka, iro, Sredovjeni spomenici Bosanske Hrvatske (Mediaeval Monuments of
Bosnian Croatia), Hrvatsko kolo XXIII, Zagreb, 1942,
3. Kreevljakovi, Hamdija, Stari bosanski gradovi. (Old Bosnian Forts) Nae starine I,
Sarajevo, 1953, 7-45.Erdas, G., Free Vibration Analysis of Beams and Plates Using
Finite Element Method, M.Sc. Thesis, METU Mech. Eng. Dept., Ankara, 1983,
4. Kreevljakovi, Hamdija, Kule i odaci u BiH (Towers and Manors in BiH), Nae
starine 1954, p. 71 86,
5. Ani Mladen, Bihaki kraj od 1262. do poetka XV. stoljea (The Biha Region from
1262 to the early 15th century), Jnl of the Archives and Archivists' Society of BiH,
XXV, Sarajevo, 1985,
6. Official Gazette of BiH no. 90/07, Decision that The historic building of the Captain's
tower in Biha is designated as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
2007,
7. Popovac, Maja, Reconstruction of the Captains Tower in Bihac, Project, Faculty of
Cvil Engineering, University Dzemal Bijedic, Mostar, 2009.