Cathedral of St. Nicholas
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas is a cathedral in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Initially, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas was a Gothic church. It was replaced by a Baroque building in the early 18th century. It is an easily recognizable landmark of the city with its green dome and twin towers and is located in Cyril and Methodius Square (Ciril-Metodov trg) nearby Ljubljana Central Market and Town Hall.
The site was originally occupied by an aisled three-nave Romanesque church, the oldest of which dates back to 1262. It was a succursal church of the ancient Parish of Saint Peter. A major fire in 1361 witnessed it refurbished in the Gothic style but underwent alterations when the Diocese of Ljubljana was founded in 1461 and the church became a cathedral. However, it was burnt down again in 1469. This time, it was suspected of an arson, presumably by the Turks.
The most striking features of the exterior are the elaborately decorated wooden and bronze doors and Roman tombstones built on the outer walls. Notice the keystone with Christ near the entrance, preserved from the old church. The Gothic pieta and statues of important bishops and saints stand in the nooks of the facade. The interior presents a painted dome and the Corpus Christi altar surrounded by angels.
Location: Ljubljana
