Műemlék-helyreállítások tegnap, ma, holnap (A 27. Egri Nyári Egyetem előadásai 1997 Eger, 1997)

Előadások - NÁNDORI Klára: Restoration of the pravostal ruins at Dömös

NÁNDORI KLÁRA RESTORATION OF THE PROVOSTAL RUINS AT DÖMÖS AS SEEN BY A PRACTISING ARCHITECT, IN A „BOTTOM VIEW" OF THE CONCEPT OF AUTHENTICITY In the picturesque Danube Bend, on the hillside over the cemetery of the small village of Dömös, on of the earliest assets of Remanesque architecture in Hungary was uncovered by archaeologists between 1971 and 1975. The crypt of the provostal church, restored from its ruins, was opened to the public on 18 May, 1990, the World Museum Day, and was consecrated on 20 August, Saint Stephen's Day. With reference to Academician dr. László Gerevich"s account

1 of his excavation work, the following is to be noted concerning the value and the history of the provostal church and convent: The Dömös crypt is of high significance in Hungarian architecture, as it is the only original evidence of any private church of the first kings in the Árpád dynasty. In the 11th century, Dömös was the seat of a royal estate. The stays of Béla I, Ladislav I and Béla II („fhe Blind") ad Dömös were recorded in the chronicles and deeds. The documents say the church was founded by Prince Álmos, and was consecrated to the honour of the virgin and martyr Saint Margaret. On consideration of the results of archaeological excavation and the historical data, it may be concluded that the year of consecration matches the second building period, when the first church, together with the mansion, linked with the sanctuary on the South side and attached to the South-West tower, were only transformed. The convent was transformed again during the Gothic era, and extended to the West. From the 18th century on, the ruins still remaining in the wake of the devastating times of the Turkish domination were carried off, and used for building a new Catholic church, as well as roads and dwellings. The ruins indicate the church must have been 50 meters long, 20 meters wide, with no transept, a nave and two aisles, a semicircular chevet. It must have had a basilical layout, and a light carpented roofing, which, after the transformation, was partially replaced with vaults supported by great pillars dividing the space. The church must have had a vestibule on the Western side, as well as two towers. The crypt, composed of a nave and two aisles, was built under the extended main sanctuary, elevated several stairs higher than the level of the nave, so the crypt was accessible through two curved one-flight stairways from either of the side sanctuaries. The cross vaults of the crypt were held by six central pillars and ten semi-columns, all with ornately carved foots and caps. Wall surfaces were articulated on each side with one semicircular niche. The sanctuary was lit from outside by a round conic window, though the researcher says there used to be three of these windows. The remains uncovered through excavation included the ascending walls of the crypt, almost up to the shoulders, parts of which had been preserved with their intact ashlar covering, and parts of which were missing all mantling, the stone carved foots of the pillars and semi-columns, which had remained at their original position, as well as some of the Roman brick covered floor. The idea is that this group of buildings would be turned, in the end, into a public display of ruins, in accordance with local intentions and the prerogatives of urban planning" (the use of „would" here, though, is not accidental). As a first stage in restoration, the crypt has been reconstructed. At the second stage, we are planning to