Sensational discovery: Remains of a medieval church found near Esztergom, Hungary – photos

Archaeologists have identified the long-sought remains of a medieval church near Esztergom, on Gedás Hill at the outskirts of Nagysáp. The discovery was made as part of a large-scale scientific research project aimed at mapping medieval fortifications in Komárom-Esztergom County.

Trial excavation on Gedás Hill

The excavation was carried out in November 2025 by the Balassa Bálint Museum of the Hungarian National Museum, in cooperation with the National Archaeological Institute and the Institute of Archaeology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Pázmány Péter Catholic University. According to a Facebook post by the Balassa Bálint Museum, earlier archaeological topographical data (MRT) suggested that Gedás Hill was once home to an earthwork fort, later replaced by a church that may have stood until the second half of the 19th century.

Based on a visible surrounding ditch and historical sources referring to the lesser noble landowners of the medieval village of Sáp, researchers had long suspected the existence of a former fortified site in the area.

Geophysical surveys provide the first evidence

Geophysical investigations conducted at the site revealed several underground anomalies. To verify these findings, archaeologists carried out a trial excavation, during which they uncovered part of the foundation of a medieval church that had been rebuilt in the early modern period. The combined use of non-invasive techniques and traditional excavation methods ultimately confirmed that a church once stood on the hill.

Traces of the Church of St Martin

The results of the excavation indicate that the church on Gedás Hill was dedicated to St Martin. The building was surrounded by a narrow ditch which, due to its size, could not have served defensive purposes. Although the research initially focused on the possibility of a medieval castle, no artefacts or archaeological features supporting this theory were found.

Burials and a possible ossuary

The church continued to be used in the early modern period, as evidenced by later alterations and burials discovered in its vicinity. One particularly noteworthy find was the foundation of a square-shaped building located north of the church. A large quantity of fragmented human bones was recovered from its fill, suggesting that the structure may have functioned as an ossuary, or bone chamber.

Church likely destroyed by fire

The excavation also revealed signs that the church was probably destroyed by a fire. Following this event, the building was dismantled, and archaeologists believe that its construction materials were most likely reused. These materials may have contributed to the construction of churches in present-day nearby settlements.

Broad professional collaboration

Several archaeologists took part in the research, including Mónika Merczi, Márton Torda, Csilla Hegyesi, Keve Jámbor and Tamás Sámson. The excavation also served educational purposes, with archaeology students from Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Levente Koncsos and Bálint Révész, actively participating in the fieldwork.