Frozen Music
"I call architecture frozen music." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The bone decorations at Sedlec are no doubt the main focus of everyone's attention. But there is also a layer of Gothic Baroque design that provides a backdrop for the unusual decor. This design is attributed to architect and builder Jan Blažej Santini Aichel, whose influence and work is well-known all around Czechia. At the time he started working on the Church of All Saints restoration, he was only 25 years old. His younger brother, František Jakub, was also involved doing stonework construction. The most prominent change in the structure of the church, was a shield on the top of the exterior facade, between the two towers, to secure the building's stability. But he also carried his style all the way down into the underground Kostnice, in its details and decor, installing massive crowns to hang over the existing piles of bones, as well as corner prayer booths & candleholders. While time has no...