st. Nicholas Church Church and parish cemetery

Welcome to Licince. You stand in front of St. Nicholas' church, which dominates the space around you and invites you to stop and think about the history of this place. Now that you are looking at this building, you see a witness in front of you for centuries of local faith and community life. Feel the calm atmosphere surrounding this area and let the voice of this guide guide guide you deeper into the history of this building. Let us now look at when and how this temple was formed. Although the building you see in front of you is harmonious and balanced, its story began much earlier than we could assume only from the perspective of its present appearance. Historical records return us to the fourth century. In particular, between 1332 and 1337 old medieval church was mentioned in the sources, which stood in exactly the same place where the current building is now standing. Imagine that at a time when cities and castle complexes were formed in Europe, there was already a place in Licince for prayer and spiritual comfort. The first medieval temple served local inhabitants for centuries until the need for renewal and modernisation came. It was this need that led to the construction of a new church between 1829 and 1830. This temple, which you see today, is brought up in the style of classicism. Classicism is characterized by its purity, simplicity and return to the principles of antiquity, which is reflected in the overall balance of the building. Although we do not know exactly who the architects who designed this project, it is obvious that they wanted to create a space that will restore peace and stability. The building has undergone several repairs over time to maintain its beauty and functionality. Significant repairs were made in 1893 and later in 1913, which shows that the inhabitants of the village respected and cared for this object. Pay attention to the details you see right in front of you. Look at the overall facade and perceive the classicistic lines that define the character of the building. Note how the building is naturally associated with the neighbor. As you move around the area, note the harmony between the building and the surrounding area. Classicism does not seek excessive ornament, but rather the depth and purity of the form, which you can feel when looking at the walls and the overall composition of the temple. However, if we look beyond the walls of the church itself, we will reach one of the most fascinating parts of this area. Surround yourself now with a sense of silence and look at the church cemetery. This cemetery is not only part of the complex, but is actually a key historical element. According to historical data, this burial area dates back to the 14th century. This means that while the church itself in its present form comes from the 19th century, the ground beneath your feet and surrounding tombs are much older. It is a place where the fates of generations of the inhabitants of Licince are intertwined. The cemetery is a silent witness to all the changes that have taken place in this area over the last almost seven centuries. It is fascinating to think that although the building was built from the ground up again in 1830, the place remained sanctified and preserved. This continuity is very valuable in our country. Imagine the thousands of people who have crossed these gates over the centuries, who have celebrated the increase of family members and who have said goodbye to those whom they loved. It is this church cemetery that creates with the church a unit that tells us about the cycle of life and death within a small community. Note, too, how different epochs are associated in this area. We have medieval roots from the first church and cemetery, classicistic elegance from the nineteenth century and a trail of care from the turn of the century in the form of repair from years 1893 and 1913. It all creates a unique atmosphere that you can now perceive. Now that you're looking around, you might wonder what secrets this place holds. Although we do not know the names of specific architects or personalities associated with this place in written sources, each brick and every tombstone in the cemetery tells its own story. The exact appearance of the first medieval church standing here in the fourteenth century remains a mystery. We can only imagine what he looked like, what materials were used, and how different he was from today's classicistic structure. Now that you have learned about the history and characteristics of St. Nicholas' church and its church cemetery, we invite you to the next transition. Go through the entire area slowly, stop by the older tombstones and give yourself a moment of silence. Feel the contrast between the medieval energy of the cemetery and the classical purity of the temple. We hope this short trip to history has helped you to better understand the importance of this place for the village of Licince and the entire Banská Bystrica region. Thank you for your attention and we wish you a pleasant next day to discover the beauty of our country. Let yourself continue your curiosity and enjoy the peace of this historic place.