Bijacovce: MRA-SVK-Bia003

Type Sample Item

Dimensions (cm)

Weight

Geographic Location

Historical note about the site/monument: The Rotunda is a sacred construction adjacent to the parish church of All Saints in Bijacovce, in central-western Slovakia. Made in quarry stone in the 13^th century and dedicated to the Saints Cosmos and Damian, the rotunda could have been originally built as a chapel for pilgrimage since it is related to a miraculous event. Some experts assumed that the building could have the function of karner, or ossuary, due to its standing by a church. The building was probably realized to match the church in the vicinity and together they form a fascinating group of historical building. The Rotunda is called after his round plan and is covered by a single dome with no apse. The interior of the building hosts various painting to date to several periods, form the Middle Ages to the contemporary period. The appearance of Rotunda is not the original: it could have got its present shape after a reconstruction occurred in the middle of the 18^th century. Even so, the roof underwent frequent renovation throughout the rest of the 18^th century up to the beginning of the 20^th century, probably connected with permanent moisture. Even so, the building was again repaired many times in the next century.