Cerkev v Mozlju – iz gotike v barok

Cerkev svetega Lenarta v Mozlju je bila zgrajena v gotskem slogu in je v virih prvič omenjena že leta 1391. Cerkev ni velika, klopi in prostora ima le toliko, da se v njej ob nedeljah in cerkvenih praznikih zberejo prebivalci Mozlja in okoliških manjših vasi.

Slika 1.: Cerkev v Mozlju
Avtor foto. : Nuša Veselič

Ima podolgovato ladjo in tristrano zaključen prezbiterij, sredi ladje je prizidan par ravno zaključenih kapel, vzdolž južne stene pa je zakristija. Cerkev pokriva enotna dvokapna streha rdeče barve. Fasada je rumeno-bela. V notranjosti stoji na stebrih zidan pevski kor, tu je tudi vhod v stranski kapeli. Notranjost krasijo prelepi kipi Marije, Jezusa, Jožefa in nekaterih drugih svetnikov. Leta 2008 so na notranjih stenah odkrili fragmente treh plasti poslikav, še iz gotskega obdobja.

Slika 2. : Stenske poslikave
avtor foto. : Nuša Veselič

Cerkev danes obiskujejo predvsem vaščani, v preteklosti pa jim je nudila zavetje pred turškimi vpadi, od 14. do 16. stoletja, kajti vaščani so tistikrat zgradili obrambno obzidje okoli cerkve in pokopališča, ki so ga kasneje podrli, saj ni bilo več potrebno.

Leta 1720 je bila cerkev prvič barokizirana, in sicer ladji so prizidali stranski kapeli in jo podaljšali. Druga barokizacija, ki je bila tudi bolj temeljita, je bila po sredini 18. stoletja. Cerkev je dobila nov obok in nov večji baročni oltar. Barokizacija se je zaključila leta 1764. Leta 1905 so cerkev okrasili s pisanimi okni. Cerkev ima pomembno vlogo v zgodovini umetnosti, saj je ena od barokiziranih cerkva na Kočevskem.

Zgodovina cerkve je zelo bogata, tako kot tudi njena notranjost, ki je polna vitrajev, stenskih poslikav ter kipov. Bogato okrasje, slike, freske, kipi, so me že kot majhno deklico privlačili. Menim, da mnogi ne vidijo posebnosti cerkve, njenih vitrajev, stranskih kapeli in mnogih drugih predelov, ki so pomembni, pa se velika večina tega niti ne zaveda. Cerkev je pomembna tudi z zgodovinskega stališča, saj je bila že v začetku 16. stoletja. Zdi se mi zanimiva in me je od vedno navduševala.

Nuša Veselič

Viri:

– Blaž Resman, Helena Seražin: Umetnostna topografija Slovenije (2010). Upravna enota občine Kočevje, Kostel in Osilnica;

– Ive A. Stanič. (2001). Mozelj v svojem času. samozal., Kočevski tisk

CHURCH OF ST. LEONARD IN MOZELJ

Church in Mozelj, one of the oldest churches in the Kočevje region

The church of St. Leonard in Mozelj was built in Gothic style, and was first mentioned in 1391. The church isn`t large, it has just enough room and pews for religious festivals and Sunday gatherings of the residents of Mozelj and the surrounding villages.
It has an elongated nave and from three sides enclosed presbytery. In the middle nave two chapels with straight finished walls were added. Along the south wall there is a vestry. The church is covered with a red gable roof. The facade is yellow and white. Inside there is a concrete choir loft built on pillars and an entrance to the side chapels. Inside stand magnificent statues of Mary, Jesus, Joseph and many other saints. Fragments of three-layer paintings from Gothic period were found in 2008 on the inside walls.

Nowadays the church is visited mostly by the villagers. People used it as shelter against Turkish invasions in the 14th and 16th centuries. Villagers built a defensive wall around the church and cemetery. Later it was pulled down because it wasn`t needed it anymore.

In 1720 the church was restyled with Baroque elements for the first time. The church was extended and two side chapels were also built. The second restyling was more thorough and it took place in the middle of 18th century. The church got a new Baroque altar and a vault. Restyling ended in 1764. In 1950 the church was ornamented with colorful stained glass windows. The church has an important role in art history as it is one of the Baroque-restyled churches in the Kočevje region.

The church`s interior is as rich as its history. Rich decorations, paintings, frescoes, statues impressed me when I was a little girl. My opinion is that many people don`t notice the church`s special features, its colorful stained glass windows, side chapels and many other parts that are also important, because they are not aware of them. The church dates from 16th century, so it is important from the historical point of view. I find it interesting.

 

Sources:

  • Blaž Resman, Helena Seražin: Umetnostna topografija Slovenije (2010). Upravna enota občine Kočevje, Kostel in Osilnica;
  • Ive A. Stanič. (2001). Mozelj v svojem času. samozal., Kočevski tisk

Pictures:

  • Picture 1: Church in Mozelj (2021). Nuša Veselič
  • Picture 2: Wall paintings (2021). Nuša Veselič
  • Picture 3: Left side chapel (2021). Nuša Veselič
  • Picture 4: Right side chapel (2021). Nuša Veselič

Nuša Veselič