Church of the Apostles St Philip and St James

The Church of the Apostles St Philip and St James, together with the original and the current cemetery, has served the village (previously two separate villages) for centuries. The church stands outside its inhabited area, on an artificial hill, probably a mound from the time of the Hallstatt era (i.e. the early Iron Age). The Romanesque Church of the Apostles St Philip and St James is a brick sacral building. There are many examples of such buildings dating from the late 12th century in what is now southern Slovakia. A traditionally laid out church with one nave culminating in a sanctuary on its eastern side. The original ceiling of the nave has not survived and is covered today by a renovated wooden ceiling supported by beams. The nave’s murals show scenes depicting Archangel Michael whereas the sanctuary’s wall has scenes depicting St Catherine. The remaining murals only represent a fraction of the church’s 14th century contiguous decoration, but together with the baptismal font, they still define the appearance of its interior. A fragment of the former main entrance to the church dating from the 14th century has been preserved. This can now be seen on the western side of the nave. A statue of the Madonna evokes the Baroque age. This church has evolved constantly over the centuries. Fortunately, its original, medieval foundation and architectural and history of architecture aspects have remained unchanged. Research, including archaeological excavations, has provided an accurate picture of the building’s development over time.