Wooden churches

The wooden Greek Catholic church of the Ascension of the Lord, 1775

    Wooden Greek Catholic church in Šmigovec was built on a slope hill in the middle of the cemetery in 1755 (1893). It was dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord. Renovations took place in 1894 and 1936. Presently the church is squalid and the renovation of the exterior is apparently unrealistic. Present condition is a result of sheeting of the roof and tower, same as plastering in 50’s of the 20th century.
    From the architectural point of view this is a small church with three parts, thee spaces, one tower and two crosses, standing on stone foundation. Structure is rustic. The tower, which arises from the narthex, has columned structure. The roof has a shape of a pyramid, having an onion dome with a three-barred decorated cross. Above the end of the sanctuary is small three-barred cross. In the tower were originally three bells. After completion of the new church the bells were transferred there. The entrance is from the western part, into the narthex.
    Specific for this church is its iconostasis of five rows. It was created probably at the time of the erection of the wooden church. During the renovation in 2006, it was discovered, that icons were in the past repainted. In fact, they were not renovated, but individual compositions were laid on. It is obvious from the fourth row of prophets, where the patterns of the face parts are stereotype. Interesting is also the number of the row of prophets. If complete they could be maximum twenty, while here are twenty four. First, main row consists of icons of St. Nicholas, Theotokos (Hodigitria), Christ the Teacher and icon of the Ascension of the Lord. Deaconal doors have no leaves. Royal doors have two leaves with six medallions (four Evangelists and two medallions of the Annunciation). Second row of feasts is divided by the icon of the Last (Mystical) Supper. Third row, of apostles has the icon of Christ the Pantocrator in the middle, instead of the icon of Christ the High Priest. Fourth row is most difficult to describe, as it is impossible to identify individual prophets. The top of the iconostasis is finished by a cross in attachment, sloped because of the lack of space. Fifth row consists of the icons of St. Nicholas saving three disciples, Evil tempting Christ and Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
    Nowadays is the church in Šmigovec out of order.

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