Clarissine Church (Bratislava)

The Clarissine Church (Slovak: Kostol Povýšenia svätého Kríža, known as Kostol klarisiek) is a Gothic church, part of a complex of medieval buildings forming the former Convent of Poor Clares in the Old Town of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The former Catholic church is owned by the city of Bratislava and it is used for cultural events. The church is a notable example of Gothic architecture in Slovakia.

Clarissine Church
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Monastery of the Order of Saint Clare, Bratislava
Kostol Povýšenia svätého Kríža a kláštor klarisiek Kostol Povýšenia svätého Kríža Kostol klarisiek
48°8′38″N 17°6′19″E
Location	Old Town, Bratislava
Country	Slovakia
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Religious institute	Order of Saint Clare
History
Status	Abbey church (until 1782)
Dedication	Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Architecture
Functional status	Deconsecrated
Heritage designation	Cultural Heritage Monument of Slovakia (ID: 101-78/2)
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic
Groundbreaking	1297
Completed	1370 15th century (tower)

History and appearance

The nuns of the Poor Clares order came to Bratislava in 1297 and built a church and a convent with the support of the king. The pentagonal tower was completed in the 15th century. In 1782, the convent was dissolved, and the church became the seat of a legal academy and school. It is currently used as a concert and exhibition hall.

The Order of Poor Clares was expelled from the Kingdom of Hungary in 1782 by the decree of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor. There are also Clarissine churches in Bamberg, Brixen, and Nuremberg.

During the complex's time as a school, Jozef Murgaš and Béla Bartók studied there.

See also

• History of Bratislava