Szamos Rudolf et al. (szerk.): Szent Márton egyházmegyéje (Szombathely, 1991)
Az egyházmegye intézményei
was the building of the Major Seminary in 1 780, the Cathedral followed in 1791. In 1781 he layed the foundation of the episcopal palace. Across the Cathedral, the Eölbei- house was erected. These four buildings do form one of the most beautiful Baroque squares in Hungary. The first bishop of the diocese of Szombathely was not only a good organizer, but also an outstanding patron of art. He worked with the best master-craftsmen and artists. His architect designer was Menyhért Hefele. The frescos of the Cathedral and of the episcopal palace were painted by Antal Maulbertsch, István Dorfmeister, József Winterhaider, and Antal Spreng. Fülöp Prokop, József Wielandt and Rafaello Romanelli must be mentioned of his sculptors. The establishment of the diocese of Szombathely played a role determining the history of the city. It affected not only the development of the life here, but it was felt also beyond its boundaries. In the seat of the diocese, the churches served by the Franciscans and the Dominicans, religious Orders founded in the Medieval times, were the centers of worship. To these new churches were added with the growth of the city, namely, the parish church in early-Christian style entrusted to the Salesian Order, and the Calvary church built next to the former hermitage. The churches of Vasvár and Celldömölk, sanctuaries dedicated to the honor of our Blessed Mother, are the most popular pilgrimage places in the diocese, visited by many times ten thousand people annually. The pastoral work, the education of the youth, before 1950, was carried out by the members of nine men and nineteen women religious Orders or Congregations. The churches and chapels built in the cities and villages of the diocese do represent almost all the architectural periods. The churches of Csempeszkopács, Magyarszecsőd, Vasboldogasszony and Pápoc are the masterpieces of the Romanesque style. The small church of Bode in the county of Zala bears marks of the Gothic and Baroque styles. The church of the Cistercians settled in 1183 in Szentgotthard is a prominent work of the Baroque art in Hungary. Saint James church of Kőszeg, in its present form, must be registered as an other excellent product of the Baroque period. Bishop Szily built the church of Nova. It is of the same age as the Cathedral. Its exterior appears as a frame of simplicity, but the interior is an architectural construction very richly painted. The frescos and the altar-piece do credit to István Dorfmeister, the famous artist. The Sacred Heart church of Kőszeg, built at the turn of the century in new Gothic style, is a 143
