Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
224 SIGHTSEEING In Hungary. The balcony above the arched stone gate is decorated with artistic Baroque wroughtiron bars. Above that the coat of arms of Bishop's Vác with the Virgin Mary can be seen. According to a military map dating back to 1680 there used to be a Turkish bath in the place of the building. However, by early 1718, there was a house there fulfilling the same function as it does today. First the magistrate of Bishop's Vác, later that of the unified town worked in the building. Around 1910 it was extended with an Art Nouveau style wing by the plans of Kálmán Hübschl-Váczy. About 25 years ago it was further enlarged and was given its present form by the design of György Szrogh. Its garden is the scene of nice performances in summer nights. The Monastery, Chapel and Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy were used by the monks who settled in Vác in 1763 in order to nurse the sick.They were given a house in the Main Square, which had been built between 1732-1751 and meant to be a seminary. A few years later they built the hospital next to it. The hospital pharmacy is the second oldest pharmacy in Hungary. The monastery started operating in 1785. It was called "Gránátalmához" ("To the Pomegranate"). Today the hospital is operated by the Order of Malta.There is also a chapel in the hospital, which is indicated by the turret on the roof.The chapel with a surbased spherical vault was dedicated to St Charles Borromeo; today it is used by Greek Catholics. The high altar-piece depicts St Charles Borromeo, who was the Archbishop of Milan and excelled in attending the sick. The sidealtar on the right was dedicated to Godly St John, the founder of the order of the Brothers of Mercy. Above the first side-altar on the left is the portrait of St Vincent de Paul, who established the nursing order of the Sisters of Mercy. On the north the square is closed by the reconstruction of the „Viennese Gate" (Bécsi kapu). The medieval town wall had four gates, each of which was named after the direction of the road running through it.This gatetower appeared in the pictures of The Monastery of the Brothers of Mercy, today the Hospital of the Maltese Charity Service of the chapel The nave
