A Kaposvári Rippl-Rónai Múzeum Közleményei 1. (Kaposvár, 2013)
M. Aradi Csilla: Erődített középkori kolostorok és templomok kutatása Somogy megyében
216 M. ARADI CSILLA The research of medieval fortified cloisters and churches in Somogy county CSILLÁM. ARADI The two groups of Hungarian fortified churches are separated from each other not only functionally, but from the chronological aspect as well. Whereas during the Late-Medieval period churches and cemeteries acted as storage of value and refuge centers, from the 16. C. they became part of the fortress system built against the Turks. Medieval fortified churches already recognized from written sources became tangible through archaeological excavations and field survey. We gained knowledge of charters, coins, chalices, attire and other valuables preserved in parishes, monasteries or cloisters through lawsuits due to harassment. It was also not uncommon to build farm buildings or cellars in cemeteries, as was demonstrated through excavations. At Balatonszárszó the church and the cemetery was encircled by a 4-6 m wide and 2-3 m deep fosse, which from the inside was accompanied by diagonally built pole framed houses. These buildings had a function of grain storage and refuge. While Benedictine monasteries were fortified by stone walls prior to the 15 C. (e.g. Szentjakab, Somogyvár), other cloisters were strengthened during the period of Turkish war. These fortifications - due to the lack of time - were hastily prepared and therefore were of temporary nature, with a mere fosse or with an additional palisade (e.g. Mesztegnyő, Csákány). The churches built from solid building material (bricks or stone) and furnished with a tower were suitable for military purposes. In the fortified churches regular guards were placed. These became part of the fortress system, while cloisters not in use were demolished. An excellent example of 16. C. church fortification was the parish church of Fonyód, where an outer palisade with 4 corner bastions and a fosse encircled the oval formed inner palisade. A similar structure was excavated at Somogysámson-Marótpuszta in 2000 (Költő L.). Written documents and field survey give evidence that a great number of parish churches were also formed into fortresses. This proves that in the mid 16. C. church organization was already loosing its function, at least in parts exposed to Turkish attacks. The Turks themselves also used churches for their fortifications, as seen in the case of Törökkoppány - a later nahie center - where the town itself was encircled by a palisade with corner bastions. It can be stated that the form of the fortifications of the 2 periods have much in common. As part of a minimal program earthworks with fosses were built, while a more elaborate rectangular palisade with corner bastions and fosse, dividing the territory into outer and inner castle area, was not infrequent.
