William Penn Life, 2001 (36. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-05-01 / 5. szám
The Danube Bend For those who do not read Hungarian, we present an English version of this month’s “Magyar Nyelv” article. It is not a direct translation, but we hope it gives you a general understanding and appreciation of the subject. by Barbara Kerékgyártó One of the most beautiful districts in Pest County—and, indeed, in all of Hungary—is the Danube Bend. This district owes its geographical form to the Danube River. The river cuts off the Visegrad Mountains from the Börzsöny, thus creating a fine valley flanked by hills. After leaving the mountains behind, the Danube flows slower, which over time allowed for the accumulation of a mass of sediment in the middle of the river. That mass of alluvium is now known as Szentendre Island. The Danube Bend spreads from Esztergom to just north of Budapest. A combination of natural and economic factors have developed the valley into a homogenous resort. Esztergom is situated on the Danube on the northern side of Gerecse and is widely regarded as the gateway to the district and, if you are heading in the opposite direction, the gateway to the Little Plain. Esztergom housed the first important centers for both the kingdom of Hungary and the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary. It is where Prince Geza established quarters on Castle Hill in about 971. The archbishopric was established there after 1010. The city contained both the cathedral and archbishop's palace. In the late 11th century, Esztergom became the principal royal seat and residence of the monarchy. In 1198, it was ceded to the church and remained the base of the church until the Turks besieged the city in 1543. The Empress Maria Theresa returned the stronghold to the archbishop in 1761, afterwhich the church built its new headquarters in the first half of the 19th century. But the beauty of the destroyed 11th century cathedral is recalled in carvings in the Castle Museum, particularly in the "Porta speciosa." The Basilica of Esztergom is Hungary's largest and highestranking catheral. The first designs for the Basilica was drawn by Pal Kuhnel. József Hild, a leading exponent of Neo-classical architecture, continued Kuhnel's work. The last stone was put in place in 1869, but furnishing and ornamentation of both the exterior and interior took many more years. When finished, the Basilica housed sculptures and paintings by artists from Italy, Germany, Austria and Hungary. The work behind the main altar is a copy of Titian's "Assunta" painted by Michelangelo Grigoletti. The murals on the cupola depicting the church father were created by Ludwig Morált. The Bakocz Chapel, a later addition, ranks among the finest works of renaissance architecture in Hungary. It demonstrates the active artistic links between Italy and the Hungarian aristocracy, which is also seen in Visegrad and Pecs. Esztergom is also home to the treasury of the Esztergom Cathedral, the richest ecclesiastical treasury in Hungary. The origins of the collection date back to the founding of the Hungarian kingdom and the organization of the diocese. In an effort to protect it during the Turkish occupation, the collection wandered in secrecy from one fortress to another in the unoccupied part of the country. The collection includes valuable works of art from the 11th century, several 15th century drinking cups made from bison horns, and a crucifix created by Francesco Francis of Bologna. The large Matthias Corvinus Calvary has a Gothic upper part of Parisian origin. The museum also houses many magnificent examples of old textiles. Near the cathedral can be found the remains of the castle from the Arpad age. The main columned facade of this Neo-classical cathedral overlooks the Danube Bend, presenting an imposing spectacle to those flowing by on the river below. |\\|>|.| 16 llilllam Penn Life, May 2001
