The event is being organized to mark the 550th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of humanist Miklós Báthori.Continue reading
“The completely restored church of Ják is impressive. It is one of the most important buildings of our medieval architecture. Its interior restoration was completed two years ago, and since then the garden and the chapel have been renovated with HUF 2 billion (EUR 5 million) of state funding,” Csaba Dömötör, State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, said on his social media page.
The restoration of the 800-year-old church in Ják (western Hungary) began in 2017, while the interior renovation was completed in 2022, as reported by Magyar Nemzet.
The restoration of this outstanding piece of Romanesque architecture has now been completed.
During the restoration, an archaeological excavation was carried out, during which workers also discovered some interesting finds.
The church of Ják, the monumental building of the former Benedictine Abbey of Ják, is an outstanding, symbolic work of Romanesque architecture in Hungary. It is the only surviving intact representation of the Hungarian medieval monasteries, attracting attention with its artistic richness and its masterly placement in the landscape. Its stylistic features suggest that it was founded around 1220, and consecrated in 1256, in honor of Saint George. During its construction, the plans may have been altered several times, as evidenced by the various irregularities. It has a turbulent history: damaged by fire, storms, and the Ottomans, it had to be restored several times. The last major rebuilding took place between 1896 and 1904.
Its most famous feature is the inwardly recessed, multi-sectioned main entrance, decorated with Norman motifs, above which Jesus is depicted in the tympanum with angels and apostles.
The entrance. Photo via Facebook/Dömötör Csaba
Opposite the main façade of the church is a small chapel, the Chapel of St. James (Szent Jakab-kápolna), which was the church of Ják, when the building of the Benedictine Abbey was not allowed to function as a parish.
The chapel is the same age as the church. Photo via Wikipedia
In City Park in Budapest, as part of the Vajdahunyad Castle, there is the so-called Ják Chapel, whose only gate imitates the church of the western Hungarian village.
Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured image via Facebook/Dömötör Csaba