Rotunda Dvanástich apoštolov
The Romanesque rotunda with a circular floor plan and an internal apse stands on the site of a now-vanished Premonstratensian monastery complex in the village of Bíňa, in southern Slovakia. It is assumed that this sanctuary was built around 1200 and served as a baptistery, that is, a place for the baptism of adults. Its interior is decorated with magnificent frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. The unique architectural solution of the rotunda has no parallel in Slovakia. The inner walls are divided by twelve niches with semicircular endings, symbolizing the twelve messengers of God.
The cylindrical brick structure has an inner diameter of 720 cm, and its walls reach a thickness of up to one meter. The dome-shaped roof is topped with the apostolic double cross of Saint Stephen. The foundations of the rotunda are built from unusually carved quarry stones joined by lime mortar and clay containing brick fragments. Documents from 1683 mention that the sanctuary was severely damaged and fell into disrepair for more than 70 years. Its restoration began only in 1755, when it was modified into the Baroque style. Therefore, the dating of this unusual house of worship was debated for a long time. Its true Romanesque origin was discovered only by chance. Following the bombardment during World War II in 1945, the Baroque plaster fell off, revealing the original medieval masonry.
Shortly after the war, in 1954, the renovation of the original Romanesque elements began, along with a comprehensive heritage restoration. Romanesque windows were exposed, while the newer Baroque ones were bricked up. After removing the Baroque coating, Romanesque paintings of exceptionally high artistic and technical quality were revealed. These are preserved fragments of a fresco depicting a group of twelve apostles. The figures, approximately one meter tall, are rendered in delicate shades of pale ochre, gold ochre, grayish-green, light blue, and pink. The faces of God's heralds are noble, radiating deep spirituality. The restoration also uncovered part of a votive painting depicting an adoring knight, a crusader. Among the Romanesque architectural elements, the portal on the southeastern side, a circular window in the western part, and three slit windows facing east have been preserved in their original state.
The exterior plaster also underwent reconstruction, using the same smoothing technique applied during its original construction in the 12th century. To smooth the plaster, a metal tool heated in fire was used, which scorched the plaster with the hot metal. In 2006, archaeological research uncovered part of a Romanesque sculpture representing part of a lion's head, which presumably stood in front of the portal leading to the monastery church. Directly beneath the foundations, graves dating back to the Great Moravian era were discovered.
The complex includes the now non-existent Kaplnka sv. Kataríny and the twin-tower Gothic Kostol nanebovzatia Panny Márie. After exploring this unusual sacral structure, head straight to the pools of Termálne kúpalisko Vadaš and treat yourself to true summer refreshment. If you are already looking forward to your summer vacation, do not wait and book your accommodation near Rotunda dvanástich apoštolov today. The accommodation Bíňa page offers a variety of spacious cottages that can accommodate the whole family. And if you enjoyed the water park in Štúrovo, do not hesitate to search for private accommodations or apartments right in its immediate vicinity.
