A citadel of Hungary’s sacral tourism
Collective renaissance on Chapter Hill in Győr
MúzeumCafé 39.
In recent years Győr has undergone a revival and its inner core, the ecclesiastical citadel of Chapter Hill, has also redefined itself, in the process revealing its previously partly hidden treasures. While Sopron, Eger and Szentendre have deservedly been citadels of domestic tourism, Győr, with its similarly compact and well-preserved Baroque old town, still lacks appreciation. The main aim of development has been to present the old and newly found treasures of Chapter Hill to the public. Not only to foreigners and Hungarian visitors – the locals themselves aren’t really familiar with Chapter Hill, tucked away by the confluence of the Rába and Danube rivers. Together with the history of the city, the new museum and exhibition ensemble present epochs of the Church, both triumphant and persecuted. Győr is the only place in Hungary where the three most important sacred objects – the Holy Crown, the right hand of King (St.) Stephen and the reliquary bust of St. Ladislas – have all turned up. In addition, the cathedral is a triple place of pilgrimage, due to the aforementioned bust, the Weeping Madonna devotional picture and the tomb of Blessed Vilmos Apor. Győr’s origins are directly linked with Chapter Hill. Sources indicate that the Romans established the border fortress of Arrabona here. During the era of migrations the settlement became one of the earliest Hungarian towns, a bastion of the young Hungarian kingdom in the face of the Holy Roman Empire. An episcopate was founded in 1001 and in the time of Bishop Modestus (1009–1037) the first cathedral was built on Chapter Hill. From the start the epispocal treasury collected the items, works of art and jewels required for religious life and official duties. The hill received its present appearance in the 17th and 18th centuries, then later its secluded, self-contained streets became quiet.