St. Catherine's Church in Banská Bystrica
Building, structure
The late Gothic St. Catherine's Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Banská Štiavnica. It is also called "Slovak" because since 1658 sermons have been held in Slovak. ; The Church of St. Catherine was built between 1488-1491. Work was carried out on its interior decoration until 1500. One of its naves is arched with a late Gothic star-shaped vault, which leads into the presbytery. The nave is flanked on both sides by chapels, which are half as high. In 1776, the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk was added to the church. Former mayors and prominent citizens of Banská Štiavnica are buried in the crypt under the church. ; A cross, a late Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary and a baptismal font have survived from the 15th century furnishings of the church. The organ comes from the workshop of a local master from the 18th century. The original high altar is the excellent M.S. It was brought to Bánya Selmec from the workshop of the master. The statue of Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine from the old altar is in the local gallery. The original altar paintings were also lost from the church. The Adoration of the Magi is in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lille, the painting entitled Mary's Visit to Elizabeth is in the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest, and four paintings can be seen in the Christian Museum in Esztergom (the four paintings of the Christian Museum were purchased from the property of Prince Koháry-Coburg by János Simor before 1891). These are the panel paintings entitled Christ on the Mount of Olives, The Crucifixion, Calvary and the Resurrection. The painting of the Nativity of the Lord is in the church in Szentantal, and one is lost.