The altar of Master Paul in Levoča

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The most important and unique monument of the town of Levoča is the Church of Saint Jacob. It can be proud of the one and only collection of twelve Gothic field altars, which are not owned even by the biggest world galleries, including the highest wooden Gothic altar in the world. The unique late Gothic altar of the Virgin Mary and Saint Jacob the Apostle was made in the workroom of Master Paul of Levoča in 1508 – 1510. It was finally finished in 1517. It is made of lime wood and its size is 18,6 m to 6,2 m. The fields of the altar are decorated by reliefs on one side and panel paintings on the other. In the altar cabinet, there are monumental sculptures of Madonna with a baby, Saint Jacob and Saint John the Apostle. Each statue is made of one piece of lime wood. Since 2009, the historical centre of Levoča together with the 500-year-old altar by Master Paul have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

(Publication of the Seven Wonders of the Prešov Region)

Published: Prešov region, Text: Ing. D. Guziová, Authors Photo: (1 - 5) Ing. D. Guzi.