The Issue of Evolution of Opinions on Gothic Revival Adaptations of the St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava

Abstract

The St Martin’s Cathedral, one of the most significant medieval monuments in Bratislava, is the reflection of the intricate historical development of architecture and art. It reflects not only artistic styles characteristic for given period but poses an important testimony of history of local as well as regional architectural scene. From the point of view of broader European context and history of monument preservation in historic Hungary, it is important to mention the era of romantic Historicism and Gothic revival, which granted the opportunity to form opinions on and methodological approaches to monument restoration. Among the most pronounced interventions in the St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava were its Gothic revival adaptations in the 19th century. The contribution analyses the evolution of opinions on these interventions in the stylistic integrity of the cathedral, which strived to restore its original Gothic appearance. Nevertheless, even then, the Gothic revival restoration did not have a single methodology and already, during the purism approach to the interiors of the cathedral some of the former methodological decisions from the foregone period were re-evaluated. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were efforts to restore the spire to its former Gothic appearance, before the Gothic revival restoration. These never realised tendencies of Historicism were soon replaced by, likewise never actualized, thoughts of restitution of annihilated Baroque furnishings, above all the high altar by G. R. Donner’s workshop. In the second half of the 20th century, the great restoration of the cathedral, including removal of the most of the Gothic revival interventions, was done, aspiring to restore the cathedral to its authentic Gothic appearance. This approach disrupted the consistent style of the church and destroyed irretrievably the better part of one coherent cultural layer. The restoration continued in the 21st century, when all the developmental stages were considered of equal importance. The contribution, using the case study of the St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, analyses the evolution of opinions on Gothic revival cultural layer on the medieval religious structure since mid-19th century. At the same time, it introduces personalities involved in the restoration and illustrates further European context. Given time frame belongs to those least explored periods of one of the most significant monuments of Bratislava in terms of the building history of the cathedral and its creators (architects, master builders, building companies, builders and artists).