Extraordinary 117-year-old time capsule found in Debrecen cathedral tower

A time capsule hidden in 1908 has been discovered intact during renovation works in the tower of a Debrecen cathedral, surviving more than a century unscathed.

The renovation of the Greek Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Debrecen, underway since 2023, had already drawn significant attention. However, experts have now reported a sensational find.

Inside the cross atop the church tower, a tin box contained a carefully preserved document intended for future generations. Placed in 1908, the letter offers a detailed account of the church’s construction and names the craftsmen involved. The Hajdúdorog Archdiocese reported on the discovery.

Who hid the time capsule?

The document was written by János Máthéi, a tinsmith who worked on the dome and the cross of the tower.

He meticulously recorded who took part in the construction, also noting his personal connection to the project as a member of the Greek Catholic faith.

According to the letter, the architectural plans were designed by János Bobula, a master builder from Budapest, while execution was overseen by István Tóth, an architect from Debrecen.

One remarkable aspect of Máthéi’s letter is its inclusion of not only the notable names. The document also mentions the foremen and craftsmen who physically took part in the construction, an extraordinary level of detail that pays tribute to everyday workers rarely remembered in historical records.

The century-old letter’s contents

The letter also attests that it was János Máthéi himself who mounted the tower cross on the very day the document was written – 19 November 1908. He makes special mention of his connection to the church through his faith, proudly declaring himself a Greek Catholic. The document also lists by name the craftsmen and apprentices who assisted with the metalwork on the building.

This was no ordinary sheet of paper, either. The top third of the letter is adorned with artwork by Károly Kleinfeller, a graphic designer and lithographer, depicting a period plumbing company. On the other side of the sheet is a drawing of a bathroom, suggesting that the company handled additional commissions beyond metalwork.