Basilica of St Giles

Basilica of St Giles in Bardejov, Slovakia, is a Gothic sacral building, which is situated in the northern part of the Town-Hall square (in Slovak Radničné námestie).

Around 1206, Cistercian monks of Polish Koprzywnica established a monastery that was eventually dedicated and named after Saint Giles.

In the 13th century, The Royal Charter of King Bela IV was the first to mention the church in local documents.

The construction of the temple, that exists today, began in the mid-14th century when German colonists settled the territory.

Sculptures on the altar of St Anna dating back to 1390–1400 may serve as proof that an earlier temple was indeed constructed in the 13th century.

The royal builder, Štefán from Košice constructed the base of the sanctuary, the choir, the sacristy, and the tribune, which is also known as the Chapel of St Catherine.

The church is a masterpiece of east Slovak late-Gothic architecture and its large-scale spatial conception, as well as in its detail, differentiate the basilica.

Italian Masters, Louis and Bernard Pel of Lugano remodeled the south facade in Renaissance style in 1564.

The extensive reconstruction of the church began after a fire in which the entire city nearly burned down on Easter Monday, 1878.

Pope John Paul II declared the church a basilica minor on 23 November 2000 in the Apostolic letter Consueverunt Romani Pontifices.

It is separated from the central nave with a triumphal arch, which is partly filled with a wooden Calvary sculpture from the late 15th century.

A wooden balcony, topped by a pyramidal roof and a four-meter-high metal cross, is situated on sixth story.

The western facade of the church is reinforced by support pillars and includes Gothic arches and a big rosette window with stone tracery.

Both side naves are vaulted with three bays of the simple cross-vault, their ribs set on the wall on figural brackets.

The oratory's vault contains ribs, which are placed directly into the wall on figural consoles portraying St George in battle with the dragon.

[citation needed] Floors in the main and side aisle and in both southern chapels are made of stoneware tiles laid in concrete.