Monuments

Back

	Bélapátfalva - Abbey church The Cistercian monks started the construction of the church in 1232 on the estate of the Bel family at the foot of Belkő mountain. The romanesque style entrance on the facade and the alternating rows of grey and red stones of the cross groundshape church, present a fine view for visitors. The central part of the main facade is decorated with a rosette. The three naves of the church are separated by arcades resting on stone pillars with carved capitals. The adjacent abbey built at the same time, was destroyed in the 16^th century and only the ruins have survived.


	Noszvaj - palace de la Motte The palace, built between 1774 and 1778, has the internal and external appearance and ornaments, typical of the time of Louis the 16^th in Hungary. The beautiful park around the palace is full of rare trees and bushes. From the hall next to the former chapel two stairs lead upstairs. The ceiling of the upstairs entrance hall is decorated with frescos and the walls are painted with caricature figures of Roman mythology. The original heavy, oak doors lead into the banqueting hall and on to the "Roman", "hunter's" and "birds' hall". The palace is open for visitors and the modern adjacent building is an excellent place for conferences and training courses.

	Hatvan - Grassalkovich palace The two-storey detached, baroque style palace was built in the first half of the 18^th century by Antal Grassalkovich from the ruins of the medievel castle walls and bastions. It was last owned by Baron Hatvany who, as a patron of arts and literature, received here many outstanding representatives of fine arts from the turn of the century. The main facade of the huge building is decorated with eight windows on both floors, and two statues support the balcony above the arched entrance gate. The ceiling of the banqueting hall is decorated with stuccowork.

	Eger - cathedral The Eger cathedral - one of the biggest churches of Hungary - was built in classical style between 1831 and 1836. It's measurement is impressive, length: 93 meters, width: 53 meters and height: 54 meters. The statues, representing two Hungarian kings (Istvan and Laszlo) and two evangelist (St. Peter and St. Paul) on both sides of the wide staircase leading to the entrance were made by the Italian sculptor Marco Casagrande. Eight corinthian columns support the tympon over the entrance door. The cross-shaped three neaves of the cathedral is covered with three domes. The main alter-piece "St. John boiled in oil" was painted by Joseph Donhauser in 1835. The famous organ was made by the Swiss firm Moser at the end of the 19^th century.


	Feldebrő - crypt The church of village Feldebrő with its original, intact crypt dates back to the turn of the 10-11^th centurie. The church first mentioned in documents from 1220 as the family monastery and burialground of the Aba clan has been rebuilt several times: first in the 13^th century in Romanesque style, than a gothic gate was added in the 15^th century, and at last in the 18^th century by Antal Grassalkovich. The thick stone pillars of the crypt, the burial vaults the remains of the altar and the frescos on the walls and vaults give this church a special architectural value.


	Sirok - Castle The ruins of the castle on the 296 m high bare hill, the so called castle hill is an entrancing sight for visitors. Its first owners were members of the Bodon branch of Aba family. It played an importal role during the Turkish invasion in the 16^th century. As a result of the decision of the national assembly in Gonc in1555 it was strengthened and two new corner bastions were added to the lower castle. In1596 the castle was taken by the Turks and after the Liberation War led by Rakoczi it was exploded and destroyed by the imperial troops. But the ruins are a favourite destination for visitors.


	Kisnána - Castle The castle of Kisnana was built in the 15^th century by the Kompolti family of Aba dinasty as a family residence. A bridge over a moat leads to the ruins of the gothic style castle situated on a hill in the center of the village. The signal tower, the 14^th century small church, the palace and the lapidoreum expect the visitors inside the walls.


	Gyöngyöspata - Church The first church of the settlement was built in the 11^th century as the central church of the religious district. It was destroyed during the Tartar invasion, and a new one was erected in the 15^th century in post gothic style in the center of the village. The unique Jessze-tree, a family-tree of Jesus is worth visiting in the church. The famous 16^th century codex "Pata graduale" kept in Budapest Szechenyi Library was found in the village.

	Gyöngyös - St. Bertalan's church The St. Bertalan's parish church of Gyongyos was built on the place of a former church in the meddle of the 14^th century. At the end of the15th century it was enlarged into a late gothic cathedral, and rebuilt in baroque style between 1746 and 1756. The baroque furniture of the church dates back to the 17^th century. The 15^th century gothic style bronze baptismal font at the southern side of the sanctuary deserves a special attention. The simple bell at the southern door is a monument to the fire of 1917, which damaged the church.

	Parád - Palotz house The house built at the end of the 18^th century lies in the north-west of the village on the bank of Tarna brook. It's the last monument of the wooden architecture in Matra region. The furniture of the room, kitchen, pantry and porch remind us of the way of life 150 years ago. The Palotz house of Parad is an outstanding museum of folk art and peasant architecture.