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The oldest church of Győr

Episcopal Cathedral (Puspoki szekesegyhaz), Győr

The cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary Ascended into Heaven (Mennyekbe Fölvett Boldogságos Szűz Mária) originates from the 12th century. The Romanesque church was refurbished first in Gothic, then Baroque style.
The famous Austrian master, Maulbertsch decorated its walls. The chapel is home to a 15th-century herm of King St Ladislaus.
The first Romanesque edifice had a crypt and an elevated sanctuary. The semicircular apse of the northern side nave belongs to this period while the other two apses were rebuilt in the early 20th century. After 1270 the church underwent a Gothic refurbishment and then between 1481 and 1486 it was extended. The huge abutments made from dressed stones along the longitudinal wall date from the 13th century, as do the walled up window frames and the Gothic arcade row discovered in the roof space.
A single-nave chapel built around 1400 and dedicated to St Ladislaus is connected to the cathedral's southern side nave. The ornate net vault and the 20th-century stained windows emphasise the chapel's Gothic character. Here one of the most precious creations of Hungarian goldsmith's work, the herm of King St Ladislaus, is kept. The sarcophagus of martyr bishop Vilmos Apor (1892-1945) has been placed facing the herm.
The Baroque refurbishment dates from 1634-1645. Entering by the forged bronze porch, the Baroque interior can be appreciated including the work of two acknowledged masters of the period, the architect Menyhért Hefele and the painter Anton Maulbertsch.

Győr

Győr is the most important city of northwest Hungary, the capital of Győr-Moson-Sopron county, and lies on one of the important roads of Central Europe, halfway between Budapest and Vienna. The city is the sixth largest in Hungary, and one of the seven main regional centres of the country.

Gyõr, Hungary’s second richest town in historic buildings outside Budapest has won Europe-award for the protection of the historic buildings, in acknowledgment of the reconstruction of the Baroque centre of the town. Churches, palaces, museums, characteristic corner-balconies and narrow lanes, all reminders of a historic past, invite visitors to take a walk in the centre of the town.

Győr is particularly rich in ecclesiastical heritage. The episcopal cathedral holds one of the most valuable examples of goldsmith's work, the St Ladislaus herm that was made in the 15th century for the relics of King Ladislaus I. The sarcophagus of beatified martyr bishop Vilmos Apor (1892-1945) is also found in the cathedral. The treasury of the basilica keeps numerous values and its fine art collections are particularly valuable.

There are permanent exhibitions of the work of one of the most significant ceramists of the 20th century, Győr-born Margit Kovács (1902-1977), and of outstanding Hungarian sculptor of the 20th century, Miklós Borsos (1906-1990) who studied in the Benedictine grammar school. Natural scientist, traveller and ethnographer János Xantus (1825-1894) after whom the city museum and zoo were named also attended school here.
The thermal baths and aquapark provide the residents and visitors alike with an opportunity for rejuvenation and there are numerous possibilities for outings and walks. (Source: Vendégváró)