Bohinj Church Frescoes, Slovenia

Bohinj church frescoes cover the Gothic vaulted ceiling in a spectacular display of medieval artistry. These ancient murals decorate the interior of the historic Church of St. John the Baptist. I took this close up photo to showcase the vibrant colors and intricate linework of the paintings. The stone ribs converge at a central boss to divide the ceiling into several triangular fields. Each section showcases unique religious imagery. You can clearly see the symbols of the evangelists, including the winged lion and the eagle. Below them, angels play medieval musical instruments.

The breathtaking paintings inside this small church date back to different periods between the 14th and 16th centuries. Several generations of artists decorated the walls and ceilings over the years.

Art historians value this specific location for several key reasons:

• The Three Layers: The walls contain three distinct layers of frescoes from different art styles, including Gothic and Baroque.

• The White Devil: The external wall features a very rare medieval painting of a white devil, which attracts many curious visitors.

• The Lake Setting: The church stands right next to the famous stone bridge at Lake Bohinj, creating a picture-perfect alpine view.

Copyright Milan Hutera, 2014. All Rights Reserved.