No. 150 - Levoca, SK - Tourist Stamps Photos on Waymarking.com

Slovakian TS No. 150 depicts two key landmarks and historic monuments of town Levoca - Renaissance Old Town Hall (Historická radnica) and Gothic c (Bazilika svätého Jakuba).

Renaissance building of historic Town Hall belongs together with adjacent Gothic Basilica of St. James among the key landmarks and historical monuments of town Levoca. Historic centre of Levoca is a part of UNESCO World heritage site "Levoca, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments".

The Gothic core of the Old Town Hall of Levoca dates back to the 15th century. Badly damaged by devastating fires in 1550 and in 1599, it was subsequently reconstructed several times. But the principal Renaissance rebuilding and extension were done after 1615, when the the southern part and also arcades of the first and second floor of western wing were added. The southern facade is decorated by Renaissance frescoes representing symbols of civil virtues: moderation, carefulness, bravery, patience and justice. The building of the Town Hall is attached to a Renaissance belfry which was built between 1656-1661. The last visible changes in building's appearance has been made during Town Hall complete reconstruction in 1894. Currently former Town Hall houses expositions of the Spis Museum (in the first floor), which are devoted to history and architecture of Levoca. The Session Hall is used for town's representative purposes.

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The history and architectural development of the Basilica of St. James is deeply connected with history of Free Royal Town of Levoca, which was also the capital of Province of 24 Spiš Saxon Towns in 1344-1412. Church, Gothic three-nave psudobasilica, was built at the site of older Romanesque structure in 1330-1370. The side chapel of St. George with distinctive gable was added at the norther wall by Košice townsman Juraj Ulenbach as his burial chapel in 1390–1392. It was a last main step in the construction of the second biggest Gothic church in Slovak territory. It is likely that the methods involved in the construction of the Levoca church were partly influenced by the Czech court architecture of the Luxembourg period, as evidenced, for example, by the character of the so-called flamboyant tracing of some basilica' windows typical for Peter Parler workshop. The unique and extremely valuable are Gothic and Renaissance interior, furniture of the Basilica and also a many of architectural details of the buildings. Numerous wall frescoes (ca 1400) or unique collection of twelve medieval wing altars and sculptures by Master Paul of Levoca made in 1508–1520 are jewels of Gothic art. The stunning polychromed 18.6 m high main alterpiece, the highest Gothic wooden altar in the World, is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage List. Such a collection of Gothic altars are not even in the world's largest galleries. The church features also the tombstones since 1392, particular of Turzo family (16th century), epitaphs and mortuary (17th century), Gothic font, Renaissance pulpit (ca 1626, K. Kollmitz), Renaissance organ (1615), goblets, Ciborias and monstrances. Church of St. James became a Lutheran church after 1544 and remained in the hands of Reformed church for next 130 years, but fortunatelly without negative effects often common during changes of the church's orientation during these turbulent period of European history. Church has been developing again, organ matroneum was built and organ was subsequently installed in 1615. Worse was devastating Levoca fire in 1550, which damaged badly part of the church's furniture, so St. James was equipped by a Renaissance benches, stalla ans also many of Renaissance tombstones were installed in the churchs walls. Catholic again from 1674, church changed its appearance during the 18-19th centuries, e.g. the upper part of the bellfry was completely rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by architect Ludovít Schmidt in 1852–1858. General reconstruction of the church in the 70's of the 19th century affected the interior - original windows were replaced by stained glass windows.

Opening Times: Daily 9:00-17:00 - Town Hall Daily 10:30-17:00 - Basilica of St. James Webpage: [Web Link] Rating: Where can you get this wooden stamp.: Not Listed

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