Photos

Pannonhalma
The Archabbey stands on the top of Szent Márton mountain, being part of the World Heritage since 1996, built thousand years ago.
The Benedictine monastery witnessed several important historic events. Here King Szent István assembled his army against chieftain Koppány, pontifical peace negotiations took place in its rooms and in 1078, witenagemot was held here.
The foundation of Szent Márton Cathedral was laid down in the times of sovereign Géza and the building was continued by his son, István the First. The traces of reconstruction and rebuilding can be observed at several places.
The cathedral can be accessed via the New Church built in 1829. The sanctuary of the three-bayed church originates from the Árpád age, in the style of the Romanesque capitals and carvings.
The northern Benedictine chapel was built in the 16th century. From the southern side of the church originating from the Árpád age, a masterpiece of the renaissance sculpture, the "porta speciosa" (royal gate) leads to the medieval part of the monastery, where one can admire the ambulatory built in the time of King Matthias. The archives keeping irreplaceable documents, among others the first deed written in Hungarian language and a privilege letter from István the First, can be approached via the ambulatory.
The northern group of buildings, the houses of the library deserve special attention. Its Empire style building was completed in 1832; its wooden columns, the two-storied "ornamented library" decorated with gilded wood-carvings are very spectacular. Among the 360 000 volumes there are some codices and ancient incunabulum of inestimable value. The Codex of Pannonhalma written in the 15th century, the Forgács Codex from 1516 and the collection of royal and papal deeds from 1235, the so called Liber Ruber are also kept in this library. The collection of the Abbey is composed of numerous precious paintings, a rich Roman coin collection, engravings and other art objects.
Opposit the entrance of the monastery, a rococo gate leads to the wonderful arboretum of the Abbey.
Source: http://www.visitors.hu/05_05_en.html


On http://www.bences.hu/en Archabbot Asztrik Várszegi of Pannonhalma wellcomes you in the WWW.