Assumption Cathedral

Honlap

The cathedral is a permanent attraction for tourists coming to the city.

The church built in the time of Astrik, the first Archbishop of Kalocsa, who brought the crown to our King St. Stephen, stood on this site. Today's Assumption Cathedral is a typical Baroque church, with a bright interior of white, pink and gold. The main altarpiece is a painting by the Viennese painter Leopold Kupelwieser, depicting the Assumption of Mary. The monumental organ was made by the famous Angster workshop in Pécs and inaugurated by Ferenc Liszt.

Open only during services for the time being!

The present church is the fourth on this site. One of the oldest cathedrals in Hungary, it was probably built before 1050, probably financed by King Stephen himself, but there are only hints of the original building from excavations. The second cathedral was built in the 13th century and was a victim of the Tatar invasion. The construction of the third cathedral dates back to the reign of King Louis the Great, when the church passed from Catholic to Reformed and back again. Later, because of the Protestant persecutions in the Highlands, the Hajdúks burned the city, including the archbishop's palace and churches.
The fourth cathedral, which still stands today, was built according to the plans of András Mayerhoffer in 1735-54. Major alterations and additions were made in the early 20th century. The crypt, the circular corridor and the original Italian Baroque furnishings were restored.
The main entrance, between two huge towers, is flanked by columns supporting an arched balcony. A statue of Mary stands between the apostles Peter and Paul on the bridge connecting the towers.
Entering the church, one is almost dazzled by the rich interior of gold, pink and white stucco.
The main attractions of the church, besides the ornate decoration, are the 13th century tomb of Martinus Ravesu in the wall of the sanctuary corridor and the beautiful main altarpiece of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the work of Lipót Kupelweiser (1857).
The earthly remains of St Pius lie in a gilded coffin under the altar of the Virgin of Sorrows.
Also worth seeing is the gilded wooden pulpit with the statues of the four evangelists on its sides.