Belényesy Károly: Pálos kolostorok az Abaúji-Hegyalján (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén megye régészeti emlékei 3. Miskolc, 2004)

PAULINE FRIARIES IN THE ABAÚJ HEGYALJA REGION

site became more apparent. This survey required one day's work of three persons. The careful control and realistic interpretation of the site, in the absence of which also the spectacular results of the instrumental survey may contain misleading information, was consciously applied. In conclusion, the basis of all used methods was the exact interpretation of the researched objects. Although the project yielded various representations of the landscape from simple (contours or sketch map) to more delicate versions (dimensional survey), the value of their information is nearly the same.

163 The most significant difference is apparent in the representation of the environment, for which simple techniques are not r-r- • 164 sufficient. THE LANDSCAPES OF THE MONASTERIES IN THE ABAÚJ HEGYALJA REGION The investigations of Pauline monasteries developed a special approach, which considered the study and survey of the actual site of the individual communities as the most important element of research.

165 This direction gave particular importance to topographical investigations. Since the typical forms of interactions between the monastery and its environment (location, size, the presence and situation of fishponds around the complex) were soon identified, nowadays they are cliches in scholarly discussions.

1 6 The historical We used total stalion, which considerably simplified the input and evaluation of data. The same results can be achieved by using an optical distance measurement, however, the time of the survey and the comilation is seems to be longer. Therefore, the results of the different surveys are very similar. Despite the fact that it was not used in the present study, one survey techique must be shortly described here, which links the fortunate characteristics of the described techniques. The research of the so called "kisvár" system ("small castles or fortifications" in Hungary in the Arpadian Period) and the investigation of Pauline monasteries have many similar features. Although the number of the small moated sites well exceeds the amount of Pauline monasteries, their function as well as their location is often connected to extreme conditions. Therefore, their survey requires quick and well applicable methods. The optical survey instrument developed by Gyula Novak is small (palm sized), and at the same time can be easily used in extreme conditions. Its advantage is that it provides more accurate data than tape-based records, and at the same time it yields dimensional results. Nevertheless, it must also be mentioned that it provides less accurate information than instruments based on the measurement of fixed angle of incline. For the presentation of this technique see: Terei, 1998. Ádám, 1883, Guzsik, 1979, Fehérvári, 1979, Guzsik-Fehérvári, 1980, Guzsik-Fehérvári, 1981. Besides the works mentioned in the above note, see: Ádám, 1878, Ádám, 1886, Ádám, 18b, Györffy, 1956, Hervay, 1984, 170171, Számadó, 1989, Kovalovszky, 1992, Lázár, 1992, Knapp, 1994, Lázár, 1994, Miklós, 1994, Miklós, 1997. documents and the landscape features together build up a superb background for the detailed investigation of he interactions between Pauline communities and their landscape. The Monasteries and Their Close Surroundings One of the characteristic features of Pauline communities is the unique harmony of the heremitic lifestyle, the building, which gives the spatial frames to that lifestyle, and the selection of the appropriate site for this life. In the case of Regéc, the supposed ruin of the monastery fits completely to the natural conditions. The buildings are small, and do not exceed the borders of the natural terrace (Fig 10). At Gönc, the organization of the buildings is deliberately planned; both the chancels of the monastic church and the side buildings were constructed on the eastern edge of the steep slope (Fig 51). Nevertheless, it must be considered that both written data and art historical survey suggest that the complex had been rebuilt. The position of an earlier, smaller building complex would indicate a similar situation to Regéc. The presumed place of the Göncruszka monastery, lacking measurable ruins of buildings, is incomparable to the above examples, however, the location of the site indicates a similar settling strategy. Meanwhile, it is worth referring back to the circumstances of the foundation. In this particular case, the hermits were donated an existing church (!), and a mill in the close neighborhood, therefore, they can be taken as heirs of a short lived community, including their incomes, buildings and the environment as well. Besides buildings, the most impressive examples of interfering with the natural landscape are the fishponds and embankments around the monastic complexes (Fig 10, 18, 61, 68). The size of the dams varies, but in each case they are situated very close to the known or presumed site of the monasteries. The construction and usage correlate with the everyday life of the communities. These features, namely the monastery and the pond(s) located together in a relatively small area, form an integral unit. Their interdependence can be supported by arguments on the region's hydrology.

167 The climate of the study region is moderately dry, cold, the water output of the streams is unstable. The ponds are situated in several cases right under the spring (Regéc, Göncruszka), or dam the beds not very far from it (Holy Trinity, Gönc). Their sizes are frequently so small that they cannot be interpreted as "fishponds" (Regéc, Holy Trinity), their presence can be explained with the MKK II, 1990 894.