St. Catherine's Church is a Late Gothic church in the town in Banska Stiavnica,

Slovakia Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...

. It is dedicated to Saint

Catherine of Alexandria Catherine of Alexandria (also spelled Katherine); grc-gre, ἡ Ἁγία Αἰκατερίνη ἡ Μεγαλομάρτυς ; ar, سانت كاترين; la, Catharina Alexandrina). is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, wh ...

. The construction is dated between years 1488 and 1491 and the church was consecrated in 1500. Fifty years later it was promoted to the status of a parish church. The year 1491 is stated also as the year when the church was established. Older resources indicate that the construction began in 1443 or 1444, what corresponds to time, when citizens of Banska Stiavnica moved to the area of nowadays town, after the old town was destroyed. From 1580 to 1675, during the period of the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

, it belonged to the

Lutheran church Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...

. In 1658 mass began to be preached in Slovak, which is why it is called "the Slovak church."

Investors

Wealthy families of mining entrepreneurs, owners of the houses located on the main Holy Trinity Square were the most probable investors in the St. Catherine's Church.

Position

The church is located on the quite steep slope of the brink on the lower part of Holy Trinity Square at the intersection of the main roads of Banska Stiavnica. It has a northwest–southeast orientation. It has a dominant location directly in the city center, at the crossroads of two most significant medieval roads; nowadays there is a conjunction of Holy Trinity Square and Andrej Kmet street.

Disposition

The church is a Late Gothic single

nave The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...

space. The

polygonal In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure that is described by a finite number of straight line segments connected to form a closed ''polygonal chain'' (or ''polygonal circuit''). The bounded plane region, the bounding circuit, or the two tog ...

chapel is merging with the aisle and western

chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song) or refrain, line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in which all verse ...

. Characteristic Late Gothic

buttress A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall. Buttresses are fairly common on more ancient buildings, as a means of providing support to act against the lateral (s ...

pillars A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression (physical), compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column i ...

incorporate inside the composition. Between the pillars, on the northern side of the nave, are embedded three Gothic

chapels A chapel is a Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. Firstly, smaller spaces inside a church that have their own altar are often called chapels; the Lady chapel is a common type ...

. From the main space, next to the presbytery, exite a

sacristy A sacristy, also known as a vestry or preparation room, is a room in Christian churches for the keeping of vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records. The sacristy is usually located ...

. Storeyed space in the South-Western corner of the nave was in the lower part also used as a chapel. Upstairs it extends chorus itself, allowing access directly from the outside. It has

barrel vaults A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault, wagon vault or wagonhead vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are ...

ended with

lunettes A lunette (French ''lunette'', "little moon") is a half-moon shaped architectural space, variously filled with sculpture, painted, glazed, filled with recessed masonry, or void. A lunette may also be segmental, and the arch may be an arc take ...

. Beneath the church, there is a

crypt A crypt (from Latin ''crypta'' "vault") is a stone chamber beneath the floor of a church or other building. It typically contains coffins, sarcophagi, or religious relics. Originally, crypts were typically found below the main apse of a chur ...

, where majors and important burgesses where buried. An original entrance

portal Portal often refers to: * Portal (architecture), an opening in a wall of a building, gate or fortification, or the extremities (ends) of a tunnel Portal may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Gaming * ''Portal'' (series), two video games ...

is located on the western facade of the church. In the upper corners are figural

cantilevers A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end. Typically it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached. Like other structural elements, a canti ...

. There is a painted town

blazon In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The vis ...

above the portal with the year 1555 (when the church was turned into

parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or m ...

). In the last quarter of the 18th century the

Baroque The Baroque (, ; ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1750s. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including t ...

chapel of St. John of Nepomucene was added to the church. Its pastel violet colour sets the chapel off like a little jewel against the monumental grey walls of the church. File:Pôdorys sv. Katarína BŠ.jpg, Floor plan of St. Catherine's Church File:Rez sv. Katarína BŠ.jpg, Section of St. Catherine's Church

Interior

The nave is fully covered by the star-shaped vaults. These grid vaults extend to figural cantilevers in the main space. It is very similar to the nave vault of Holy Cross church in Kezmarok. Due to this similarity and the similarity of interior figural decoration it is assumed, that the same masons worked on both of the churches. Side chapels are opened into the nave by pointed arches and are vaulted by mainly star-shaped grid vaults. File:Interier sv. Katarína BŠ3.jpg, Net vault of St. Catherine's Church File:Interier sv. Katarína BŠ1.jpg, Net vault of St. Catherine's Church File:Interier sv. Katarína BŠ2.jpg, Grid vaults of St. Catherine's Church Many interior components indicate high level of skilled masons and carpenters. Finely worked out details of portals, figural cantilevers and especially rich decorated

baptistery In Christian architecture the baptistery or baptistry (Old French ''baptisterie''; Latin ''baptisterium''; Greek , 'bathing-place, baptistery', from , baptízein, 'to baptize') is the separate centrally planned structure surrounding the baptismal ...

. In the main frontage, there are three high windows filled with

stained glass Stained glass is coloured glass as a material or works created from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings. Although tradition ...

. The lower part is aligned with a half 3-pointed leaf

tracery Tracery is an architecture, architectural device by which windows (or screens, panels, and vaults) are divided into sections of various proportions by stone ''bars'' or ''ribs'' of Molding (decorative), moulding. Most commonly, it refers to the s ...

. Windows in the chapels are filled with colourful stained glass traceries. The lower part is separated into 4 sections filled with stained glass with

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

scenes. Merging with the upper part of the window, we can see the 3-pointed half leafed tracery. In the middle there is a 4-pointed leaf tracery with the flame traceries by the sides. Some parts of the windows are dated to year 1894 and the colourful stained glass from the chapels from year 1907. File:Interier sv. Katarína BŠ4.jpg, Side chapels of St. Catherine's Church File:Banská Štiavnica Kostol sv Kataríny 01.jpg, Windows of St. Catherine's Church

Exterior

The present-day facades have been reconstructed according to their original appearance. From exterior, the church has clearly recognizable Late Gothic elements. Bearing system stands out from the nave by the 6 bear retreat

on each side. The single chapels have been built between these pillars. Facades are partly made from

stone In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...

and partly covered with plaster. The roof was covered with

copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...

sheet in year 1656. File:969 01 Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia - panoramio (1).jpg, Front facade of St. Catherine's Church File:Kostol sv. Kataríny - panoramio.jpg, Back side of St. Catherine's Church File:Kostol sv. Kataríny, Banská Štiavnica - pohľad od námestia.JPG, Exterior of St. Catherine's Church

Inventory

From the original Gothic

inventory Inventory (American English) or stock (British English) refers to the goods and materials that a business holds for the ultimate goal of resale, production or utilisation. Inventory management is a discipline primarily about specifying the shap ...

a valuable rich decorated stone baptistery from the 16th century and a

cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a sa ...

from the 15th century were maintained. The statue of

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

, that has been preserved until today, is very valuable wooden statue from year 1506 that comes from the original main

altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, churches, and other places of worship. They are used particularly in paga ...

. The wall painting depicting the

Last Judgement The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, Doomsday, Day of Resurrection or The Day of the Lord (; ar, یوم القيامة, translit=Yawm al-Qiyāmah or ar, یوم الدین, translit=Yawm ad-Dīn, ...

located on the South wall of the presbytery is the most precious part of this church. It is a combination of two different painting techniques: a fresco painting and a painting "a la secco". The scene begins in the vault where the Christ is displayed as the Savior of the world. In the space defined by the vault ribs, the appearance of the Christ repeats, here he is sitting on the rainbow with legs laid on the globe. Next to him there is Virgin Mary and St. John Evangelist painted. Below them, there is a crowd of standing and sitting people next to each other. It anticipates to be 12 apostles but since the painting is in a bad state, it is not possible to define the persons specifically. Under the painting the sorting of the souls is shown with the main character of Archangel Michael who is fighting against the Devil. On the left side, there are saviored people walking towards the Heaven gates, accompanied by an angelic chorus. On the right side, a crowd of people driven by devils, walking most likely into the Leviatan stomach is shown. Devils carry the flags with the pictures of animals representing the

seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, is a grouping and classification of vices within Christian teachings. Although they are not directly mentioned in the Bible, there are parallels with the seven things ...

. The painting was discovered during the last reconstruction of the church in years 1971-1973. It is assumed, that originally it also covered the other walls. It is the largest of its type in Slovakia. The church's original furnishing has changed in the 18th century. The main, the columned altar of St. Catherine from year 1727 (and restored in 1887) has been preserved from the original seven Baroque altars installed at that time. Along with the altar, the painting of St. Catherine's betrothal with Christ has been preserved until today, which is attributed to painter J.G. Grossmayr. The altar paintings were originally changed according to the liturgic periods of the year. By the side of cantilevers we can find statues of

St. Barbara Saint Barbara ( grc, Ἁγία Βαρβάρα; cop, Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ Ⲃⲁⲣⲃⲁⲣⲁ; ; ), known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Lebanese and Greek saint and martyr. Accounts place her in t ...

and St. Margaret.

External links

Rímskokatolícky kostol sv. Kataríny
Turistický sprievodca; accessed 5 November 2017.

Resources

*DULLA, M.; KRCHO, J.; KRIVOŠOVÁ, J.;KVASNICOVÁ, M.; MORAVČÍKOVÁ, H.; POHANIČOVÁ, J.; RAJTÁR, J.; ŠOLTÉSOVÁ, D.; Architektúra na Slovensku stručné dejiny; Slovart, Bratislava, 2005, str. 46-47 *FOLTYN, L.; KEVIZSKY, A.; KUHN, I.; Architektúra na Slovensku od pol. XIX stor.; Slovenské vydavateľstvo krásnej literatúry Bratislava, 1958, str. 51 *Ing. arch. GOJDIČ, I.; prom. hist. PAULUSOVÁ, S.; Banská Štiavnica – kostol sv. Kataríny. Umelecko-historický a architektonický výskum fasád, program pamiatkových úprav 1977, Archív pamiatkového úradu SR Bratislava, Zbierka výskumných správ, sign. T 1396 *JANKOVIČ, V.; Stredoveká sakrálna architektúra v Banskej Štiavnici. In: Pamiatky a múzeá, roč.5, 1995, č.4, s. 24,25 *LUXOVÁ, V.; Figurálne konzoly v Kremnici a Banskej Štiavnici. In: Pamiatky a múzeá, roč.1, 1991, č.1, s.16 *KAHOUN, K.; Neskorogotická sakrálna architektúra na Slovensku, Univerzita Komenského Bratislava, 1995, str.: 22-23, *KAHOUN, K.; Banskoštiavnický staviteľský okruh v kontaktoch románsko-gotickej strednej Európy. In: Pamiatky a múzeá, roč. 6, 1996, č.1, s. 13 *DVOŘÁKOVÁ, V.; TÓTHOVÁ, Š.; Banská Štiavnica. Svetové kultúrne dedičstvo.; Pamiatkový ústav; Bratislava; 1995 * Súpis pamiatok na Slovensku 1.: A-J; Obzor; Bratislava; 1967

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Church of St Catherine, Banska Stiavnica Roman Catholic churches completed in 1491 15th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Slovakia Churches in Banská Bystrica Region Buildings and structures in Banská Štiavnica