5+1 most famous monasteries in Hungary – PHOTOS

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The history of Hungarian monasteries dates back to the 12–13th century when the first Hungarian kings began to found the first official buildings for monks. Since then, monasteries all across Hungary started to open, and the culture of monks became more and more common in Hungary.

Read alsoThe top five most beautiful chapels of Lake Balaton

The first monks arrived in Hungary in the 11th century from the South-West and built their own, first monasteries in South-Hungary. The first Western monks came from the area which today belongs to Germany and Italy. The Hungarian monks woke up at five o’clock every morning for the first mass, which was followed by another one after lunchtime. In the summer, they went to bed around six, in winter at five o’clock every day. All the Hungarian monasteries were built in quiet and abandoned valleys, away from public life. The monks avoided colourful and eye-catching clothes and tried to remain hidden from the public. All of their monasteries were built to serve the Virgin Mary. Most of the time, they prayed or copied old codexes.

Let us see the five monasteries in Hungary, the most well-known ones.

Szent Mór Bencés Perjelség (Győr)

The monastery/church was built between 1634 and 1641. The monks of the building arrived and moved in approximately at the end of the 17th century. The public had mixed opinions about them, but they lived in privacy and established excellent schools and other institutions for Hungarians in the later years helping the city of Győr and Hungary to move forward in education.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Domonkos Monastery, Margareth-Island (Budapest)

Founded by Béla IV, its official documentary dates back to the middle of the 13th century. The building was the home of nuns who lived inside the monastery until the Turkish Empire conquered Hungary and they had no choice but leaving to save their lives. Since then, only the ruins of the monastery can be observed as it has never been renovated or rebuilt.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons by V.Mariann

Pálos Monastery (Nagyvázsony, Veszprém County)

It was built between 1480 and 1483, although historians still debate on the exact date. The monastery remained hidden from the public in the mountain area of Bakony, not far from Lake Balaton surrounded by a calm and peaceful environment. In 1543 — similarly to the Domonkos Monastery — the Turkish destroyed the building, and only the ruins remind people of its history and existence.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Solymári

Pálos Monastery (Pilisszentlélek, Komárom-Esztergom County)

In 1985, historians discovered the ruins of a once existed monastery not far from the small village of Pilisszentlélek which only has 300 inhabitants. This was the home of the monks’ member of the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermiwhich, the only Hungarian founded order in history.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Civertan

Zirc Monastery (Zirc, Veszprém County)

The monastery was founded by Béla III in 1182 and was the most famous one in the Central-European region back in the 12th century with an incredible reputation. Although the monastery was abandoned when the Turkish arrived, in 1629 the monks started to move back and restored their homes. Today the monastery has its secondary schools where monks teach students.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Civertan

Pannonhalma Archabbey

The Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey or Territorial Abbey of Pannonhalma has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sights since 1996. It is one of the most monumental buildings in Hungary, which is worth visiting at least once.

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