BARDEJOV
BARDEJOV
St. Egidius Basilica Minor
The square is dominated by the Basilica of St. Egidius. Gothic three-nave basilica with a polygonal sanctuary, sacristy, two chapels and built in western tower is the most valuable medieval Gothic monument in Bardejov. King Bela IV.´ charter from 1247 states, that original church was a part of the Cistercian´ order monastery. In the early years of the 14th century, the German colonists settled here and most probably, the construction of today´s church began in the middle off the 14th century. The current layout began to form in the second half of the 15th century. In 1427 a three-nave basilica was mentioned. In the years 1448 - 1454, a builder from Bardejov named Mikuláš Lapicida added a presbytery, whose vault later collapsed.
Several fires affected the statics of the steeple and after earthquake in 1725 and violent storm it finally collapsed. Last major renovation took place in the nineties of the 20th century. Two of the originals bells the John and Urban placed in front of the Basilica, demonstrate the mastership of medieval bell-founders. Church of St. Egidius was declared a national cultural monument in April 1st, 1970. Pope John Paul II. by the apostolic breve raised the church to the status of Basilica minor in November 23rd, 2000.
Top exhibitions: Statue of St. Egidius from the original main altar (1466). Cabinet of the St. Elisabeth of Hungary altar (around 1480-1490) and altar of the Nativity from the years 1480-1490, the highest and most valuable Late Gothic altar in the church. Altar of the Crucifixion from the late 15th century has in the middle of its neo-Gothic predella a superb valuable painting - the Veraikon - tondo with the Christ´s face. Casted bronze baptismal font and the Altar of Our Lady, St. Erazmus amd St. Nicholas or sculptural group of Golgotha from the 15th century.
Magnificent decoration of the church interior standing out thanks to unique collection of eleven Gothic wing altars represents a precious evidence of precise feeling and skills of medieval artisans and masters. All altars are extremely rare. They are richly carved.
A immense organ from1906, with great sound, placed on the church loft, represents a remarkable fineness. Its functionality, architectural layout, impressiveness and mightiness rank the organ among the most beautiful ancient artworks.
St. Egidius Church is the second largest church in the Košice archdiocese. It is 50 m long and 31 m wide. The middle part of the church with sanctuary and main nave is 24 meters high. Basilica steeple with its height of 76 m ranks among the highest church towers in Slovakia. The capacity of the church is about 3000 people, including 500 seats.
Ss. Peter and Paul´ Church
It belongs to the Greek-Catholic Church. An eclectic building from the years 1901-1902, built near the fortification moat in the southwestern part of historical town center. Neo-Romanesque elements prevail on the facade. The church has a longitudinal single nave floor projection with polygonal presbytery, vaulted with the Prussian vaults. Main altar is from 1903, iconostasis is from the year 1914.
Evangelic church
Church of the Augsburg confesion Lutherans in Bardejov arose in the period after the Toleration Patent by Emperor Joseph II. It was issued. It was built just behind the northern walls of the inner fortification in the years 1798-1808. It is dedicated to Ss. Cyril and Methodius. The church is a classicist building of longitudinal floor plan with semicircular altar closure and built-in organ loft and the Prussian vaults. A neo-Gothic interior dates back to the second half of the 19th century.
John the Baptist Church and the Franciscan monastery
Church was built in 1380 by the Augustinians. In 1528 the Augustinians were expelled from the town. After a fire in 1534 the church remained abandoned and the monastery served as a town granary. Since the middle of the 17th century the church had been in the use of the Lutherans. After 1686, when during the re-Catholisation the objects were taken over by the Franciscans. Vault of the sanctuary is a Gothic, nave is built a Baroque style. Interior is a Neogothic, decorations are partially Baroque. Today´s appearance of the church dates back to 1878.
St. Anne´s Church
It stands in the area of St. Anne´s cemetery in Bardejov. The original chapel from 1822 was converted into a church in the nineties of the 20th century. Next to the church is a stone monument from 1783, made in honor of the opening of a new wooden bridge over the Topľa river. The opening act was carried out by Emperor Joseph II. Currently, the church is administered by the salesians.
Church of the Exaltation of St. Cross
The Roman-Catholic church built near the Folk spring in Bardejovské Kúpele.The church is characterized by its ground plan in the shape of a cross. Extensive reconstruction of the church was realized in 1941 and the reconstruction of the church interior was done in 1996.
The Holy Family Church - Vinbarg
The Roman-Catholic church was built and consecrated in 1999.
St. James´ Chapel
Built around 1820. Interior hosts the altar of St. James with a painting of the saint and Mary Magdalene. The chapel stands in the St. James´ cemetery, which is the oldest preserved town cemetery.
Orthodox church
Dedicated to the priors Cyril and Methodius and Serafim Sarovský. The construction begun in 1991 in a modern Byzantine style.
