Votive Church of Szeged

The Cathedral of Szeged under the patronage of Our Lady of Hungary (Hungarian: Magyarok Nagyasszonya Püspöki székesegyház ) in the Hungarian city of Szeged is the bishop's church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Szeged - Csanád and the third largest church in the country. It was built from 1913 as a votive church, raised in the 1920s, the Cathedral and completed in 1930.

History

Since time immemorial, Szeged flood plain was the Tisza. In 1880, one of the largest floods in the city's history, in which 90 % of the houses were destroyed occurred. To vote gracious God, the city council decided to build a large church. To find a suitable plot of land for this project proved to be difficult, which is why the start of construction lasted until 1913. Only in 1930 were the construction work will be completed. Reasons for the long construction period was the outbreak of the First World War and the economic recession of the 1920s. It was designed by Frigyes Schulek and Ernő Förk. After the First World War and associated territorial concessions on the basis of the Treaty of Trianon Szeged became the episcopal see of the remaining parts of the diocese in Hungary Csanád whose episcopal seat was located in what is now Romania Timişoara.

Description

The church was built on the Cathedral Square, which in shape and size ( 12,000 square feet) oriented to the Piazza San Marco in Venice. It is a Neo-Romanesque brick basilica on cross floor plan. The transept is crowned by a long-span dome, the west facade is flanked by two high bell towers. The height of the two front towers is 91 meters, the height of the dome 54 meters. The dome is in the shape of a tent roof and is decorated with an encircling colonnade. The heroes bell is one of the five bells of the peal and weighs 8600 kg. The clock on the bell tower is one with a diameter of 4.3 meters also among the largest watch Hungary.

The entire interior shows clear influence of Art Nouveau, which is particularly widespread in Szeged. Numerous reliefs, statues and mosaics adorn the entire interior of the church and show among other things the great flood. Particularly noteworthy is the representation of Mary with Hungarian costume and shoes on the church ceiling. Another important piece of equipment is a statue of Jesus on the cross. Above the main altar stands a white Marmorziborium. The originating from the company angster organ with its 9040 pipes, the third largest organ in Hungary. In the crypt of important personalities are buried for the diocese. Up to 5000 believers find a place in the Church.

Dimensions:

• Length: 81 meters
• Width: 51 meters
• Tower height: 91 meters
• Dome Height: 54 feet (outside), 33 meters (indoor)