church of the Sacred Mother of God Church

Welcome to the village of Šarišské Jastrabie. Right now, you are standing before the Church of the Sacred Mother of God, which dominates the local landscape and carries the peace and dignity of the previous centuries. When you look at it, you will see a building in front of you that combines the rationality of classicism with the gentle touch of Baroque style. It is a place that has long served the local community as a spiritual center and a witness to the changes that have passed through the region.

Let's now look at when and how this church originated. Although the exact names of architects or particular personalities that initiated the construction are not mentioned in the details, we know exactly in what time period the construction was built. The church was founded in the first half of the 19th century, namely between 1812 and 1819. Imagine, then, the time when political conditions in Europe changed and classicalism triumphed in architecture, marked by cleanliness of lines and a return to ancient patterns. It is this style that defines the overall form of the building you are facing.

Pay attention to details you can see right in front of you. Note that the building has a built-in tower, which is a natural part of the entire complex. If you raise your eyes, you'll see what this tower ends up with. It is a baroque laternum mine that supplies the whole church with the necessary verticalness and aesthetic smear. It is an interesting contrast, because while the body of the church itself represents classicistic moderation, the end of the tower brings us back to a more dynamic baroque.

Let us now move within the temple in spiritual vision. If you enter the interior, I suggest you look up the ceiling. There you will see the Prussian vaults, which are complemented by inter-klenches. This type of arch is characteristic of its structure and creates a sense of stability and rhythm in space. It is a technical solution that, combined with the church space, creates a harmonious atmosphere suitable for meditation and prayer.

While the building itself comes from the early 19th century, the interior equipment you will see in the church is slightly younger. All the equipment that surrounds the area today dates from 1924 to 1925. This means that the interior reflects aesthetics and needs from the period of the inter-military republic, which creates an interesting layer effect between older architecture of the building and newer equipment.

It is important to realise that every historic building requires constant care to survive for the next generations. This church was not left to its fate, but it was regularly cared for. Historical records inform us that the building has undergone significant repairs in 1881 and also in 1900. These interventions have helped to maintain the structure of the building as you see it today, and have ensured that the classicistic elements are preserved for us, current visitors.

You may wonder if there are any big secrets or dramatic stories associated with this place. Although they do not feature specific names of known personalities in the backgrounds, the very existence of this temple in the Saris Hawks is a story of the perseverance and faith of local inhabitants. The church's secret lies in its silent witness. Imagine all the generations of people who have passed through this door, all the joyous moments of baptism and the sad moments of farewells that have taken place here for more than 200 years.

Now see the atmosphere of this place. Classicistic architecture teaches us balance and mildness. Once again looking at the overall composition of the building, watch how the line of walls connects with the Baroque mine and as a whole fits into the surroundings of the village. It is a place where time has slowed down and where you can quiet down thoughts for a while.

Now, let yourself go around the building in peace, explore its exterior from different angles, and if you have the opportunity to see how you feel about the Prussian vaults in the interior. Let yourself be guided by your curiosity and see the details we have just mentioned to you.

Thank you for sharing with us this short trip into the history of the Saris Hawks. We hope that this Church of the Sacred Mother of God gave you a pleasant impression and that you appreciated the beauty of classicalism combined with Baroque detail. We wish you a pleasant continuation of your journey and many new discoveries in further exploring the beauty of the Prešov region. Goodbye.