Have you ever seen the inside of one of the most famous Gothic churches in Europe? _(1)_ Construction started in 1388, when Kutna Hora, a town famous for its silver mines and which is now part of the Czech Republic, was reveling in a period of prosperity. However, progress was slowed during the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, with many more interruptions over the years due to the depletion of the area's silver. _(2)_
　　Aptly named, the church honors the patron saint of miners, Saint Barbara. She protects all those who work with fire and explosives. _(3)_
　　The exterior of this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts majestic double-arched flying buttresses and plenty of ever-watchful gargoyles that are easily seen with the naked eye. _(4)_ The interior space is brought to life with stunning vaulted ceilings, original medieval frescoes illustrating life in the mining town, and enchanting stained glass windows depicting historical events from Kutna Hora's past. _(5)_ Having survived for centuries, the Church of Saint Barbara has lots of stories to tell. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Europe, visiting this spectacular jewel of Kutna Hora would definitely light up your travels.

(A) However, with the help of binoculars, visitors can take in and appreciate all the other unique details placed high up on the church, such as chimeras, bats, demons, winged rams, and even a monkey with an orange.
(B) Rivaling the likes of the Duomo in Milan, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, and Notre Dame in Paris, the Church of Saint Barbara is a Gothic structure that has stood the test of time.
(C) Spread throughout the inside are ornately carved artifacts and structures, with the statue of Our Lady Enthroned being the oldest.
(D) The original design was for a much bigger church, which was supposed to be twice this size.
(E) It wasn't until 1905 that the Church of Saint Barbara was actually completed.
(F) Over the years, the residents of Kutna Hora have ensured her support while in the silver mines and sought hope in every aspect of their lives through their dedication to her and the church.

住在泡泡裡

庫特納霍拉的瑰寶
聖芭芭拉大教堂是一處向礦工守護神致敬的建築，值得一看。
　　你曾目睹歐洲最富盛名的哥德式教堂之一的內部景觀嗎？與米蘭的多莫大教堂、布拉格的聖維特大教堂以及巴黎聖母院這類的教堂相媲美，聖芭芭拉大教堂已是一座經得起時間考驗的哥德式建築。建造工程始於 1388 年，當時庫特納霍拉是一座以銀礦著稱並陶醉於繁榮中的小鎮，現今為捷克共和國的一部分。然而，在十五世紀初胡斯戰爭期間，工程進度放緩，加上多年來由於該地區的銀礦枯竭也造成了建築工程數度中斷。直到 1905 年，聖芭芭拉大教堂才真正地竣工。
　　教堂名字取得恰如其分，它是用以對礦工的守護神聖芭芭拉致敬。因為她庇護著所有與火和炸藥接觸的礦工。過去多年來，庫特納霍拉的居民身處在銀礦坑時確保能獲得她的庇佑，並透過他們對聖芭芭拉與教堂的投入奉獻，在生活各方面尋求希望。
這棟被聯合國教科文組織列為世界遺產的建築物外觀擁有雄偉的雙拱飛扶壁（編按：飛扶壁是哥德式建築上常見的建築構件，其主要用途是為了減輕主牆所承受的壓力），以及我們用肉眼即可輕易看到大量的滴水嘴獸（編按：奇形怪狀，面目猙獰的雕刻像），牠們的外表總是保持警覺的樣子。不過有望遠鏡的協助，遊客可欣賞並將所有置於教堂高處獨特的細節盡收眼底，像是客邁拉（編按：獅頭羊身蛇尾之噴火女怪）、蝙蝠、惡魔、有翅膀的公羊，甚至是身帶柳丁的猴子。那令人驚豔的拱形天花板、用圖像述說著採礦小鎮生活的原始中世紀壁畫、描繪著庫特納霍拉種種歷史過去之迷人的彩繪玻璃窗，這一切將內部空間賦予了生命。教堂內佈滿了華麗細緻的雕刻文物與建築，其中以登基聖母為最古老的雕像。經歷幾個世紀的屹立不搖，聖芭芭拉大教堂有許多故事可供傳頌。如果你正考慮前往歐洲旅行，參觀庫特納霍拉這塊引人入勝的瑰寶，肯定會照亮您的旅程。

答案：1. B　2. E　3. F　4. A　5. C