点评:After passing through the Powder Gate into the Old Town our tour guide took us through a labyrinth of narrow streets until we ended up in front of a small beige and unimposing church, the Basilica of St. James the Greater.
The Basilica was first constructed in 1232 for the order of Friars Minor Conventual or Minorites. It was destroyed by fire in 136 and rebuilt in a Gothic style. It was destroyed again in another fire in 1689 and then rebuilt a second time in a Baroque style and twenty Altars added. In 1702 an Organ was installed. The title of Minor Basilica was inferred in 1974 by the Pope
In 1714, Count Vratiislav of Mitrovice the Bohemian Chancellor of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I who had passed away two years prior was interred there.
The rather bland and unassuming exterior is in sharp contrast to the interior of the Basilica. Once through the heavy wooden doors one’s senses are almost overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the beauty. Almost every surface, walls, altars, niches, and ceiling are covered by intricate carvings and metal work, and the most detailed frescos.
It is possible to get fairly close to these works of art, walking right up to the rope barriers that prevent one touching. As in all historic buildings preservation and renovations are an ongoing process. During our visit we were able to see a team working on one of the side altars to restore it to its former glory.
The Basilica is open daily from 10:00am until 6:00pm except Sundays when it opens at 12:00pm. Admission is free although donations are accepted.
翻译:穿过粉末之门进入老城后,导游带领我们穿过一片错综复杂的狭窄街道,最终我们来到了一座颜色为米色、外观并不起眼的小教堂前——这就是圣雅各伯大教堂。
该教堂始建于1232年,最初是为方济各会修士们而建。它在136年遭火灾焚毁,之后又以哥特式风格重建。该教堂在1689年的一场大火中再度被毁,随后以巴洛克风格重建,并增建了二十座祭坛。1702年,教堂内安装了管风琴。1974年,教皇授予其“乙等宗座圣殿”的称号。
1714年,两年前去世的神圣罗马帝国皇帝约瑟夫一世的波希米亚大顾问弗拉蒂斯拉夫·冯·米特罗维采伯爵被安葬于此。
教堂的外表相当朴素平实,与其内部华丽的装饰形成了鲜明对比。穿过厚重的木门后,眼前的壮丽景象几乎让人应接不暇。几乎每一处表面——墙壁、祭坛、壁龛乃至天花板——都布满了精致的雕刻与金属工艺,还有极为细腻的壁画。
游客可以非常接近这些艺术品,甚至能走到禁止触摸的警戒绳前。与所有历史建筑一样,这里的保护与修缮工作也一直在进行中。参观期间,我们看到一个团队正在修复侧面的一座祭坛,力求使其恢复往日的辉煌。
大教堂每日上午10点至下午6点对外开放,周日则从中午12点开始开放。参观免费,但也欢迎游客捐款。