The Franciscan Church of St. John the Baptist in Bardejov was built around 1380 by the Augustinians. The monastery buildings were built in several stages together with the reconstruction of the church.
Until 1528, when the Augustinians were expelled from the town, the church belonged to the Order of St. Augustine. After a fire in 1534, the church was abandoned and the monastery served as the town granary.
From the middle of the 17th century the Franciscan Church of St. John the Baptist in Bardejov was used by the evangelical Slovaks of the town. After 1686, as part of the recatholization, the church and the monastery were taken over by the Franciscans. They enlarged, extended and re-vaulted the church.
The original church was built in the Gothic style, while its present form has its roots in 1878. The interior of the church has lost its original Gothic character through frequent fires and repairs. The Renaissance and the rich Baroque period left many traces on the design. from the last restaurant. In original condition the vault of the sanctuary, its walls and windows with stained-glass windows have been preserved with a Gothic character.
Altar of St. John the Baptist, which is the main altar, dates from the 2nd half of the 18th century. The other altars are of more recent date, made after the last burning of the church in 1878.
The Franciscan church in Bardejov was last repaired in 1990, when it was equipped with new pews.
Source: www.bardejov.rimkat.sk, www.bardejov.sk
Cover photo: Jano Štovka, MQEP
