Blue Church

The Church of St. Elisabeth (Slovak: Kostol svätej Alžbety), commonly known as Blue Church (Modrý kostolík), is an Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) Catholic church located in the eastern part of the Old Town in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is consecrated to Elisabeth of Hungary, daughter of Andrew II, who grew up in the Bratislava Castle. It is called "Blue Church" because of the colour of its façade, mosaics, majolicas and blue-glazed roof.

The one-nave church was built in 1907-1908, four years after the plans of Ödön Lechner to build a church in the Art Nouveau style. The so-called Hungarian secessionist style forms dominate in the church. Lechner also drew plans of a neighbouring grammar school and of the vicarage.

The ground floor of the church is oval. In the foreground there is a 36.8 metres high cylindrical church tower. At first, a cupola was planned, but didn't came to realization; instead, a barrel vault was built, topped by a hip roof. The roof is covered with glazed bricks with decoration, for the purpose of parting.

The main and side entrances are enclosed with Romanesque double-pillars, which have an Oriental feeling. Pillars are also located near the windows.

The façade was at first painted with light pastel colours. Later the church got its characteristic blue colour. A line of blue tiles and wave-strip encircles the church.

Photo 1013, Sept 2008

Blue Church

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Blue Church, interior

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Blue Church, interior, detail

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Blue Church

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