Multicellular sheepfolds (mrgari) as monumental shepherds’ dry stone wall architecture: A Cres-Lošinj archipelago case study

Multicellular sheepfolds form part of the dry stone wall pastoral heritage in the UK, Switzerland, Iceland, and Croatia. Abandonment, and the marginal appearance of the ones on the islands of Cres and Lošinj (locally: mrgari) in the literature propelled this study, which aims at a more comprehensive research approach, starting from the premise of their cultural value. Site exploration was based on a literature review, cartographic analysis, interviews with the local inhabitants, and field observations. Finally, multicellular sheepfolds are inventoried, described, and assessed within a brief evaluation model that supported a selection of those that are currently most representative and/or those most appropriate for renewal.