Slovenj Gradec / Windischgrätz / Windischgraz

Baptismal font of stone consisting of a polygonal basin with a rounded underbowl, raised on a baluster-type pedestal base; it bears two inscriptions, one around the upper rim of the basin, another, with the date 1643, on the stem of the base. Elaborate font cover of the rim-buffet type with opening side doors; painted and gilded and with a figural finial. A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 15 September 2022) informs: "The first church dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The church is among the most important sacral-artistic monuments in the city centre. It is dedicated to St. Elizabeth (1207, †1231), the patron saint of the poor and sick. It is the oldest building in the city, built soon after 1235, when Elizabeth was proclaimed a saint. Her name day has been celebrated each year on the 17th November since 1454. The Patriarch of Aquileia, Berthold V of Andechs, dedicated the church in honour of his niece St. Elizabeth on 30th April 1251, which was the same year he bestowed the entire estate and property of Slovenj Gradec to the Patriarch of Aquileia. The bestowal ceremony was held at St. Elizabeth’s church. The church consists of a Gothic sacristy, chapel, bell tower on the north side, two Baroque period chapels on the south side, a Romanesque rectangular nave and a presbytery. The exquisite Baroque interior is one of the best examples of Baroque sculpture in the Slovenian territory. The main altar from 1731/1734 was designed by a sculptor from Graz, Janez Jakob Schoy (1686–1733), and built by a carpenter named Nidermar (perhaps Nieder-mayer) according to the writing on the back side. The central part is occupied by the painting of St. Elizabeth Among Beggars, a masterpiece dated 1732 and made by a painter from Slovenj Gradec, Franc Mihael Strauss (1674–1740). The lateral altars and the pulpit adorned with remarkable sculptured ornaments were made during 1770–1773 by a sculptor and carver from Rogatec, Janez Jurij Mersi (1725–1788), living in Slovenj Gradec at the time. The two paintings decorating the left lateral altar (apse) and the former altar placed in the north Chapel of St. Anne were made by Janez Andrej Strauss (1721–1783). St. Catherine’s Engagement was depicted by Mihael Skobl in 1638, an esteemed citizen and town’s magistrate. There are several family tombstones built in the interior walls of the church originating from the Renaissance period, the most notable being the figural tombstone of the family of Cristoph Gaisruck from 1566, mounted on the southern wall of the nave next to the altar dedicated to St. Catherine. It depicts the entire family kneeling before the Holy Trinity. Among other, younger tombstones, is also the tombstone of count Herbert Kulmer, carved in 1746, which is placed on the triumphal arch of the Chapel of St. Joseph. During the Baroque period, Slovenj Gradec attracted many skilled artists that made the silver monstrance and ciborium for the church in 1609 and 1640, respectively. One of the most important movable monuments is also the Late Gothic crucifix statue from around 1500, which is mounted on the altar of the Cross Chapel. At the entrance to the sacristy is the baptismal font dated 1643. The sacristy also boasts with an exceptionally rare Late Gothic style liturgical cupboard from 1486, bearing an inscription. Some elements were later added to the church by the town’s priest Jakob Soklič (*1893, †1972) with a great talent for creating harmony through interior decorating. The organ pipes, chandeliers and the statue of St. Therese, “The Little Flower” in front of the Cross Chapel by brothers Božo and Ivan Pengov as well as the statue of St. Judas by Ivan Sojč, a carver from Maribor, were all made on his request. In 1948, he requested the Stations of the Cross, made by Ludvik Pandur. The Elizabeth of Hungary as the town’s patron saint, placed above the main entrance to the church, was also depicted on his request. The artistic design of the seal of St. Elizabeth’s parish was made in 1939 by the architect Ivan Pengov from Ljubljana."