The historic basilica will be rebuilt, serving as the resting place of some of the greatest Hungarian kings.Continue reading
Work began Tuesday on the installation of the equestrian statue of King Ladislaus I of Hungary, also known as Saint Ladislaus (Szent László) in the Oradea Castle (in Nagyvárad, formerly part of Hungary, now Romania).
In a joint statement, the Oradea Municipality and the Roman Catholic Bishopric of Oradea said that the equestrian statue will be placed on the previously prepared pedestal in about two weeks. With the statue of the renowned artist Árpád Deák, the cultural heritage of Oradea will be enriched by a new work of art, they wrote.
Gyula Zatykó, responsible for Hungarian affairs in the mayor’s office, noted that the statue was brought to the castle in parts because the whole work would not have fit through the narrow medieval gate.
The date for the unveiling has not yet been set.
Mayor Florin Birta emphasized that the statue is a “historical tribute” to the knight-king, who is revered as the founder of the city, and underlines the multi-ethnic and multicultural character of Oradea. The legacy of Saint Ladislaus is a courageous commitment to the Christian faith and part of European identity, he added.
The herm containing the relics of St. Ladislaus in the basilica of Győr. Photo via Wikipedia
The reliquary, containing the jawless skull of the knight-king, is a pictorial representation of the body part (head), kept in the form of a bust, and is therefore called a head reliquary, or herm.
The construction of the 5.3 meter high statue was supported by the Hungarian government and the Hungarian community of Oradea, and several fundraisers were organized.
The statue depicts the knight-king on horseback, with a crown on his head and a battle axe in his hand, and is to be placed between the Csonka Bastion and the Prince’s Palace.
Originally, the Hungarians of Oradea wanted the statue to be placed in the city’s main square, St. Ladislaus Square, and a collection of signatures was started. However, former mayor Ilie Bolojan rejected the petition that was supported by 8,000 signatures, and placed the statue of Romanian King Ferdinand in the square. Thus, the castle became the next location.
Left: the statue of King Ferdinand I, center: the Town Hall, right: the Roman Catholic parish church of St. Ladislaus. Photo via Facebook/Józsefné Kavisánszki
The fortress, restored on the basis of European sources, is an important monument of the city. Here Saint Ladislaus had the first cathedral built, serving as the burial place of the knight-king and became a place of pilgrimage, where several Hungarian monarchs were buried due to his devotion.
Via Ungarn Heute, Featured image via Facebook/Nagyváradi Római Katolikus Egyházmegye