The Stone Boundary Markers fom Šijana Forest

Šijana forest, like other important state forests, was once marked by stone boundary markers, of which only a few have been preserved. The name SIANA was chiseled on these markers, as well as the letter T, which refers either to the marker or marking, the abbreviation DF, which is a mark denoting a state forest, or the letter S (Siana), followed by a number, and a year that in all probability refers to the year of the marking.

The importance of the forest before the period of Austrian rule reflects itself in the Venetian land-registry, where Vicenzo Morosini, the deputy in charge of forests, wrote in 1776 that the low forest called Šijana was in possession of the Franciscans from Pula, and that to the north and west it borders on private lands, to the east on Valtura, and to the south on Pula.

After the construction of the Arsenal at Pula, Šijana forest became an important source of wood for ship-building, and this remained so until the last decades of the 19th century, when iron gradually replaced wood. The forest called Kaiserwald (Imperial Forest) was afterwards developed for visitors. It was connected by tram with Pula, and in the middle of the forest a wooden pavilion with a restaurant was opened - a focal point for social gatherings.

The miniature Prater, as Šijana forest used to be called at the beginning of the previous century, is nowadays a forest-park where an ever growing number of residents from Pula are finding a place for gatherings, relaxation and recreation.

The new section of the highway that was constructed in 2013 and 2014 extends itself to the western border of Šijana forest, which was marked by boundary markers. The boundary markers that were dislocated on that occasion are presented here.

1. An aerial view of Šijana forest.

2. Paths in Šijana forest – the basic infrastructure from 100 years ago.
   From the collection of old postcards, Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria (PMI-32434). Photography by Alois Beer. Publisher: F. W. Schrinner, Pola, 1910.

3. and 4. The stone boundary markers from Šijana forest.