History
The Church of the Virgin Mary was erected at the end of the 13th century, and after the interior was completed, wall paintings were made in it. It was first recorded in lists of papal tithes from 1332-1337. At the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the church underwent a late Gothic reconstruction, as a result of which the nave was enlarged. It is possible, however, that the reason for the work was not the intention to enlarge it, but the static problems of the building, which also appeared later. After the extension, the nave was also decorated with wall polychromes.
In the 17th century, the building was taken over by Calvinists, who adapted it to their liturgical needs (they put a pulpit and a gallery inside). As the years passed by, the condition of the church began to deteriorate, even in danger of collapsing. For this reason, at the end of the 18th century, the chancel arcade, which was unnecessary for Protestants along with the presbytery, was walled up, and a warehouse was created in the choir.
After World War II, the removal of the presbytery was considered; fortunately, the discovery of medieval frescoes prevented it. The complex renovation of the building was completed in the years 1970-1978. As a result, the building statics was secured, a new roof was laid and the floor was tiled. Wall polychromes were also discovered and recreated.
Architecture
Situated on a hill above the village, the original church had the form of a aisleless building with a polygonal chancel in the east, probably with a barrel vault inside. As it was built in the transitional period, it showed features of the Romanesque style (small, splayed windows, semicircular chancel arcade) and Gothic (polygonal closure of the chancel). Around 1500, the nave was extended south and north, which increased the interior space somewhat. The gothic entrance portal was on the south side of the nave. The church was surrounded by a stone wall, possibly with defensive features.
Current state
In addition to the nave and chancel of the church from the Middle Ages, the southern portal has survived. Wall paintings from around 1400 have been preserved only in fragments, as many of them were damaged by moisture. The most visible, in the shape of curtains, are located in the lower part of the presbytery.
bibliography:
Website apsida.sk, Žíp.