The church in Istebné is one of the most valuable monuments in Slovakia. It is an articled church, which refers to the permission granted to Protestants in 1681 to build their temples in Slovakia. However, severe restrictions were placed on the Protestant congregations. Their temples had to be built outside the settlements’ limits, they had to be built out of wood or other undurable materials and the couldn’t have the belltower and bells, etc.

1688 is considered as the year in which the building of the church started. The local tradition was the inspiration for its architecture and interior design. The ambo with the figures of the four Apostles carved attracts the visitors’ attention just like the figure of St. Michael which is placed above the ambo. The paintings portray the Apostles and their life. The Baroque altarpiece with the painting of the Holy Trinity is very interesting. It also contains the paintings of two Apostles Peter and Paul on the opposite side panels.

When compared to the church in Leštiny we can see some similarities in the interior design, but there are two significant differences as well. The temple in Istebné was modernised, it has new electrics and some of the elements of the interior design were exchanged therefore the church in Istebné could not be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The other difference concerns the passages from the Bible and the prophet’s words in a form of inscriptions on the side walls. The church is really amazing and it must be seen because of its interior design and because of the spectacular scenery around the hill on which the church was built.

Kostol v Istebnom
027 53 Istebné
Evanjelický farský úrad Istebné
tel. (+421) 43 589 13 53
www.muzeum.sk