St. Jakub's Church in Libiš (Czech Republic)

The St. Jakub's Church in Libiš is located in the northeastern corner of the village of Libiš. It is a small Gothic building from the end of the 14th century. The church is dedicated to St. Jakub Větší and belongs to the Roman Catholic parish of Neratovice. There are several hypotheses about the origin of the church. According to Václav Mencl, it was originally Romanesque in the 13th century, rebuilt in the early 14th century. It is clear, that it stood until 1374 or 1386, when Bohunka z Libiš and Stibor z Libiš benefices to this church are mentioned in the Confirmation Books of the Prague Archdiocese. In 1391 a contract was concluded with the builder Petrus Lutka for the construction of a church in Medonas, which was to be built "eadem forma prout ecclesia in Lybbysse", i.e.  the same shape, as the Libiš church. From this, it is also usually concluded, that the Libiš church was also built by master Petrus Lútka. The church was built as a single nave with an entrance from the south side and a pentagonal closed churchyard on the east side. Due to the fact, that it did not have a tower, it was more like a chapel. According to church documents, the church was probably built on the site of an older Romanesque church. Soon after the building, the frescoes were also created. In the 15th century, during the Hussite Wars, Christian churches were looted. Even the Libiš Church did not escape this. Frescoes were painted here, which have survived to this day. The tower was built in 1541, which is recorded in a stone slab, that has survived to this day. There was a bell hung in the tower, named after the creepy "Death Cry". During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a wooden belfry was built next to the church, which houses two bells. The church was not rebuilt in the Baroque style. Only a vestibule was added, and on the north side of the church was a sacristy with an adjoining burial chamber, which was accessible from the outside. In the 17th century a baptistery and patrons' bench were also installed here. 1942-1943 the first known restoration of the frescoes took place. It was performed by the academic painter Číla. In the 20th century other restorations and minor reconstructions of the church took place. During one of their funeral rites, the room was demolished. During 2002 at high tide, the water rose to the lower edge of the mural. However, he did not touch the frescoes themselves. As part of the Architectural Heritage Preservation Program, 1995-2014. 2,500,000 Czech crowns were used to repair the monument.

A simple, odd-shaped, well-designed and relatively easy-to-glue model for modellers of all experience. Even beginners will not really need the help of more experienced colleagues, but it is more fun to work in a company. The textual instruction is small, but quite detailed, graphic - only three drawings, but they are enough.