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| ŠIBENIK AND REGION / The Cathedral of St. Jakob |
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By its beauty, constructional and stylistic caratheristics cathedral is not only the greatest and most valuable object of architectural heritage of Sibenik, but also a unique monument of world sacral architecture registered by Unesco from 30. 11. 2000.
It is build on the south side of the ancient town square in the place of the romanic church of Sv. Jakov. Idea of building a cathedral is from 1298, when Sibenik become dioceses. It was decided to build it in 1402, but they began in 1431 and lasted until 1536.
In 1441 High commission placed Juraj Matvejev Dalmatinac in a position of head architect. He remined in that position until the end of his life in 1475. That great master of late flower gothic and founder of gothic-renaissance stile in Dalmatia with his unique ideas changed the first conception of the church and gave it its monumental character. After his death, head master became Nikola of Florence 1477-1505. He continued in renaissance stile.
Sibenik's cathedral is a basilica dimensions 38x14 m 38 m high on the top of the cupola. It is consecrated in 1555. The most impressive part is the sealing and cupola. As all the other parts of the church they are made only from stone using same construction method as for apsidal and chapel constructions.
Inside of the cathedral is divided in two parts, front for the believers and back part with presbytery, two small galleries and sacred part. The baptistery is very important, placed in the south side by Juraj Dalmatinac. It is a small round hall with pillars. Many sculptures and decorations are its most impressive characteristic.
In the chapels on the sides of the church there are altars. Four of them are baroque, and two from XIX ct. Cathedral has a treasury with the most valuable paintings from XV ct. Artifacts of the renaissance miniaturist and goldsmith Horazio Fortezza and some other pieces are placed in the church museum.
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