Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)

Tartalom

demands of the pilgrims. Outside the church there used to be a cross-shaped place of assembly, which is only vaguely visible today if one looks back from the top of the stairs by the entrance. The groups of pilgrims walk from here to the altar to pay their respect to the Virgin Mary.

The fresco in the chancel

The devotional picture of the Virgin Mary

18th century were found and restored about ten years ago. They depict The Holy Trinity and the Four Evangelists. In the aisle the picture of St Ottilie, a girl who regained her eyesight, indicates the healing power of the place. Another valuable object, which cannot always be seen, is a votive picture made

The high altar

The holy picture on the high altar is the replica of the statue in Máriavölgy, decorated and surrounded with the worshippers' gifts: jewels, votive offerings made of precious metal. Votive statuettes have been made in gratitude for invocations or prayers that have been answered for centuries. Most of them are formed to symbolize parts of the body, indicating some illness or pain, brought by people praying for recovery. There are a. lot of baby-shaped figures embodying the prayers of childless women, and also ships symbolizing the prayers for travellers, but there are other symbols as well. These figures used to be made of wax for the less wealthy, who brought them by the thousands, and they were used for moulding the candles for the church the following year.

The frescos of the chancel dating back to the middle of the