Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church (Sv. Ludvika baznica) description and photos - Latvia: Kraslava (Topic)

Roman Catholic Church of St. Louis (Sv. Ludvika baznica) description and photos - Latvia: Kraslava. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Sv. Ludvika baznica.

Photo and description

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Louis in Kraslava is a prominent representative of Baroque architecture. In 1755, according to the project of the Italian architect Paraco, the construction of a stone church began. The church under construction (the Polish name for a Catholic church) was planned to be the residence of the bishop of Inflantia, but since Latgale joined Russia in 1772, this did not happen. The construction of the church was completed in 1767. It was named after the French king Louis, who was proclaimed a saint in 1297.

The Church of St. Louis is characterized by the presence of a reckless facade crowning a high and wide gable. The grandiose double portal (entrance) emphasizes the idea of triumph and apotheosis inherent in the picturesque thought of the Baroque. During the Baroque era it was believed that evil was defeated by the sacrifice of Golgotha, and a person experiences great joy when he eats the fruits of salvation. Upon entering the church, this feeling increases even more. This is facilitated by the high vault of the central nave, pilasters and columns that encourage visitors to gaze upward, evoke high spirits and give rise to thoughts about the high destiny of man. This celebration can also be seen in the altar, executed in a manner typical of the great Italian baroque masters Pozzo and Bernini. The altar impresses with its size, the majesty of the composition and the generosity of the colored material.

In the semicircle of the vault, you can see a canvas depicting the kneeling figure of the French king Louis IX, created in 1884 by the great Polish artist J. Matejko “Saint Louis goes to the cross hike ". Hidden behind the painting is a fresco by the Italian artist Gastoldi, which originally decorated the altar. It depicts King Louis IX in military armor, seated on a throne. The walls of the cathedral were also decorated with frescoes. Over time, they crumbled. Then it was decided to order an altar painting.

In the choir, you can see two paintings from the 1860s. These are images of the founders and founders of the church, Constantine Ludwig Plater and his wife Augusta Plater (nee Oginskaya). The creator of the portraits is the Italian artist Filippo Castadi, who worked in Poland. He is famous as the author of the wall painting of the Church of St. Louis.

In 1986, a new organ was installed in the choir of the church, which replaced the burnt organ during the Great Patriotic War.

Talking about the Catholic Church of St. Louis and its significance, one should pay special attention to the relics of the martyr St. Donatus, which attract pilgrims and make Kraslava the second most important place of pilgrimage in Latvia, after Aglona. With the mediation of Pope Pius VI in 1790, the feast of St. Donat was approved with complete absolution, celebrated on the first Sunday after St. Peter's Day.

Due to the influx of a large number of people who want to visit the Church of St. Louis on St. Donat's Day , it became necessary to build a separate chapel. Funds for its construction were donated by Countess Augusta Plater. The chapel was installed in the eastern part of the church. In the summer of 1941, when the Red Army was retreating, local atheists set fire to the church. The altar of Saint Donatus and the organ were destroyed, but thanks to the efforts of the community members, the fire in the chapel was extinguished, as a result of which it was possible to save the main altar of the temple with a special altarpiece.

The spacious courtyard of the church is surrounded by majestic trees. The courtyard has long been turned into a park, in the silence of which you can relax, think about your own, watching the rays of the sun illuminate the figure of the Virgin Mary filled with peace.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Louis in Kraslava is a majestic building, striking in its power and beauty, and of course, deserving the attention of tourists and guests of the city.

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Topic: Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church (Sv. Ludvika baznica) description and photos - Latvia: Kraslava.