St. Barbara's Church, Kutná Hora
Gothic church in Kutná Hora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saint Barbara's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Kutná Hora, Bohemia, built in the style of a cathedral. It is one of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, reflecting the town's historic wealth from silver mines.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Architect
- František Maxmilián Kaňka
- Diocese
- Diocese of Hradec Králové
- Denomination
- Roman Catholic
- Style
- Gothic; Neo-Gothic
Facts from the source article.
History
Construction began in 1388, with Johann Parler, son of Peter Parler, as the probable first architect. Work was interrupted for over 60 years during the Hussite Wars. When it resumed in 1481, Matěj Rejsek, Benedikt Rejt, and Mikuláš Parler took over. The original design was for a church perhaps twice the present size, but declining silver mine productivity slowed progress. By 1588 the three-peaked roof was completed and a provisional wall built. Final repairs and completion occurred at the end of the 19th century under J. Mocker and L. Labler. The church originally had eight radial chapels with trapezoidal interiors, and the choir was later constructed with double-arched flying buttresses. Interior features include glass windows, altars, pulpits, choir stalls, and partially preserved medieval frescoes depicting secular mining town life and religious themes.
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