Kostel svatého Mikuláše (Nový Jičín) Church

Welcome to New Jicin. You are standing in a place that is at the same time a silent witness to many centuries of life. In front of your eyes is the church of St. Nicholas and I welcome you as your guide on this short but rich journey through time. Before you go any further, stop for a moment and just watch. Feel the present, the weight of history that radiates from this place. There's a building in front of you that's not just a wall and a roof, but a living chronicler of the county. Look above all, at the dominant square tower. Its onion roof rises above the surrounding roofs and determines the overall character of this place. It's the first thing that captures every visitor, and rightly so. This tower serves as a beacon of history that has been standing here for an incredibly long time.

But to really understand what you're seeing right now, we need to go back to the past, together with you, until the beginning of the 13th century. Imagine the landscape back then, much wilder and less populated than today's. It was then, in these early thirteenth century, that the first building was created here. But it was not a stone temple as we know it today, but a modest wooden building. It was simple, functional and consistent with the time. Over time, however, the need for durability and the importance of this place led to the wood being replaced by stone. This is how a stone one-legged church with a polygonal presbytery was created, which is the part that forms the sanctuary. This step made the church a solid part of the landscape. It is important to stress that this is not any church. The church of St. Nicholas is probably the oldest Catholic temple in the whole district of Žilina and with high probability in the entire district. When you realize the duration, you will see that you are facing one of the region's most important spiritual pillars.

Now that you know its roots, pay attention to how this building changed over the centuries. The church you see is not the result of one time, but it is a complex mosaic of different styles and epoch. If you look at his face, you can see traces of many reconstructions. You see here a touch of goth that forms the basic skeleton of the entire object. Subsequently, however, the history of the church developed in a very interesting way, when it became part of the Lutheran use. This brought new needs and new ways to perceive space. In 1612 there was a significant expansion of the church ship towards the west, precisely because of this period. This change in form shows how the community around the church was changing and how space had to adapt to new people and their beliefs.

Another major breakthrough came much later, in the eighteenth century. In 1756 the building underwent significant restoration. At that time the tower became a new form and the church was painted, which gave him a new, fresher face. It was during this period that new windows were created, which brought a different light into the interior and changed the atmosphere of the whole space. This Baroque adjustment has given the church the elegance and balance that you perceive today. But history did not stop in the nineteenth century. In 1820, one of the most important cultural events took place in the church when a new organ was installed here by Master Sebastian Staudinger of the Angel Mountain. Even if you can't see the organ from the outside, their presence in the history of this place is irreplaceable and defines the spiritual and musical wealth of this temple.

When you look at this building, you can ask yourself who was all connected to this place. History tells us the names of the people who had no small influence on the fate of this church and its surroundings. The figures associated with this place include Vok III. z Kravař, for example, which shows the ties of the church to the power and nobility families of the time. We must not forget the name of Anna of Sternberg, who is also part of this historical context. And, of course, when we talk about music heritage, we must mention Sebastian Staudinger, whose work in the form of an organ gave the church his unique voice. These people, although they are no longer with us, have left their mark in every stone and in every tone of this place.

Now I want to invite you to focus a little bit more on what's right around you, the church itself. You're standing on Beskyda Street and this street has its own secrets. You may not notice it right away, but this place was a lot different from today. There used to be a cemetery here. If you look at the low wall surrounding the church, or if you notice a tombstone that is located by the south wall, you realize that this place was also the last resting place of many people in the area. This wall and this stone are silent witnesses of the human lives that once took place here, which are now part of the history of this temple. It's a fascinating idea that while you're looking at beautiful architecture, you're standing in a place that has been linked for centuries with eternity and memories of those who have already left.

This combination of sacral space and former cemetery gives the whole place a special, deep atmosphere. It's a place where history touches everyday life, where architecture mingles with the memory of human destiny. So St. Nicholas' church is not only a monument to religious traditions, but it is a comprehensive testimony of how people lived, believed and changed from the 13th century to today.

I hope this short journey has helped you see more than just a building of stone and mortar in St. Nicholas' church. I hope you have seen the layers of time that intertwine here - from wooden shacks to baroque tower and organ music. Now that you know the basics and stories of this place, I suggest you continue your walk around New Ječina. Explore other parts of this city that will surely not disappoint you with their wealth. I wish you the rest of the day and enjoy every moment you spend in this historic environment. Thank you for your attention and goodbye.