Restorer Juraj Maták (source: SITA)
Restoration of the main altar in the Gothic St James’ Church in Levoča is well underway. The altar, which includes the work of Master Pavol, is among the most important art masterpieces in Slovakia. At almost 19 metres high the altar is one of the tallest in the world of the late-Gothic period. The altar, along with the works of Master Pavol and the church has been named a UNESCO heritage site. The Church is also a national cultural monument.
The restoration is scheduled to be completed in two phases. In the first which is expected to be ended later this year, the plan is to renew the extensions and the altar’s sculpting. The current restoration though not as thorough as the last one that was carried out in the 1950s, is necessary as part of maintenance of the monument.
Next year, in the second phase the cabinets, decorative statuary and the panel paintings will be restored. All work is slated to end by the summer of 2015.
