Shocking discovery: Long-lost Hungarian church found under tennis court – PHOTOS
In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists excavating the site of the Visegrád monument complex, slated for revival, unearthed the ruins of the Church of the Virgin Mary beneath a tennis court. Constructed during the reign of King Sigismund, the Hungarian church had lain hidden until now. Here are the fascinating findings of the archaeologists.
Chasing Visegrád’s past
Turizmus.com reported that in March, extensive research on Visegrád’s history revealed new findings, including traces of a settlement from the Turkish occupation era located in the lower castle. Additionally, a likely Turkish burial site and a collapsed oval-shaped furnace were uncovered at the citadel’s entrance. However, archaeologists were most excited about the excavation at the site of a tennis court next to the royal palace, where a Franciscan monastery, founded by King Sigismund, once stood. This site promises to yield important historical insights into the Hungarian church’s story.
Discovering the Hungarian church
On the first day of excavation at the site, archaeologists discovered the remains of a Hungarian church and a crypt in front of the high altar, where over a hundred late Gothic vault parts from the sanctuary were found collapsed. In the debris of the crypt, they uncovered the remains of three bodies. Nearby objects, including a spur and several lead shotgun pellets, indicated these were likely the bodies of soldiers. Additionally, a copper bowl with surface indentations possibly made by weapons was found, suggesting the church was not only looted but also the scene of a violent conflict.
According to the Hungarian National Archaeological Institute the discovered Hungarian church “is thought to have collapsed after 1544, when Visegrád fell to the Ottoman Turks, burying for centuries the remains of the royal castle’s former wealth and ruin, which were brought back to light by archaeologists’ excavations”.
Future plans
The Visegrád Renaissance programme is set to oversee the reconstruction of significant historic sites, including the Lower Castle, Solomon’s Tower, the valley wall and the moat as well as the refurbishment of the Visegrád Citadel and the Royal Palace. Alongside cultural enhancements, the initiative will also improve infrastructure and boost tourism. The complex will be pedestrianised and made more accessible, with a new link between the lower and upper parts of the castle system. The work will be conducted in multiple phases to ensure that the citadel, the lower castle and parts of the Royal Palace remain accessible to visitors throughout the reconstruction.
Here are some photos from the excavation site:
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