Denomination Roman catholic Status Active | Founded 15th century Opened 1623 | |
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Former name(s) Saint Nicholas' Chapter Church Similar Kandija Bridge, Otočec Castle, Celje Cathedral, Dolenjski muzej Novo me, Murska Sobota Cathedral | ||
Novo Mesto Cathedral (Slovene: novomeška stolnica, novomeška stolna cerkev) or St. Nicholas's Cathedral (stolnica sv. Nikolaja) in Novo Mesto is the seat of the Diocese of Novo Mesto and a landmark of the town. The stone-built church is located on a hill above the Krka River. Until 7 April 2006, when the Diocese of Novo Mesto was established, it was a chapter church. Therefore, it is also known as the St. Nicholas's Chapter Church (kapiteljska cerkev or simply Kapitelj). It is distinguished by a combination of Gothic and Baroque architecture and a broken longitudinal axis, because the presbytery is higher than the nave.
History
The original church was first mentioned in 1428, although it was standing already before. The three-pole presbytery with its quintuple axis ending has been preserved from the time. In 1493, when the chapter was established, a reconstruction was started and lasted until 1623. In 1576, the building was damaged in a fire. Its renovation was financed by the provost Polidoro de Montagnana, who ordered the construction of a new high altar and acquired the oil painting The Vision of Saint Nicholas (c. 1582) by Venetian Mannerist painter Tintoretto to stand on it. In 1621, the nave area with Baroque arches and three Baroque chapels on each side were constructed. In the 19th century, the church was gothicised. In 1733, new side altars with paintings by Valentin Metzinger were erected. In 1860, a new polygonal belfry was erected in the shell of an older one on the west side of the church. The main altar was renovated in 1868 by Matija Tomc. In 1901, the presbytery was ornamented by Matija Koželj.