Pannonhalma

Pannonhalma is a small town in western Hungary, in Győr-Moson-Sopron county with approx. 4000 inhabitants. It is about 20 km from Győr; it is accessible by car, bus or train.

Benedictine Archabbey and Boarding School

Pannonhalma's most notable landmark, one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary, the Benedictine Archabbey can be found next to the village, on top of a hill (282 m). Saint Martin of Tours is believed to be born at the foot of this hill, hence its former name, Mount of Saint Martin. This is the second largest territorial (ie., approx. sovereign) abbey in the world, after the one in Monte Cassino.

The monastery complex

Its notable sights include the Basilica with the Crypt (built in the XIII century), the Cloisters, the monumental Library with 360,000 volumes, the Baroque Refectory and the Archabbey Collection (the second biggest in the country). Today there are about 50 monks living in the monastery. The abbey is supplemented by the Benedictine Secondary School, a boys' boarding school.

History

It was founded as the first Hungarian Benedictine cloister in 996 by Prince Géza, who designated this place for the monks to settle down, and the place soon became the centre of the Benedictine order. Géza's son, King Stephen I donated estates and privilege to the monastery. The first written record of Hungarian language, the Charter of the Tihany Benedictine Abbey, dating back to 1055, is still preserved in the library. The first buildings of the community were destroyed, then rebuilt in 1137. The Basilica's pillars and the early Gothic vault were built in the early XIII century, using the walls of the former church. In 1486 it was reconstructed under King Matthias in Gothic style. The monastery became an archabbey in 1541 and in the XVI and XVII century it was turned into a fortification. In the XVII and XVIII century, the complex had rich Baroque adjustments and extensions (much of its present parts was made at this time). It received its present form in 1832, with the library and the tower built in classicistic style. In the 1860's, major renovations took place by Ferenc Storno, mostly in the basilica. – In 1995, one year before the millennium, the complex was entirely reconstructed and renovated. In 1996, "the Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment" was elected among the World Heritage sites.

The secondary school

History

Education began soon after the foundation in 996, so this date can be regarded as the beginning of school education in Hungary. Education had to be ceased at the Turkish invasion in the middle of the XVI century, but it re-started in 1690, teaching would-be monks after secondary school. The Benedictine order was dissolved in 1786 by Joseph II; it was taken up from 1802, and the education started again. From 1919, the leadership wanted to open a public school, and they succeeded in 1921 with 22 students. In 1932, however, due to the economic depression, it had to be closed. It re-opened in its present form in 1939 as an "Italian" secondary school, with emphasis on the Italian language and culture. By this year, it received separate buildings for the education and the dormitories, which are still in use. In 1948 it was brought under State control, and it could reopen in 1950. It was among the few Catholic schools which didn't cease functioning even in the Socialist era (which ended in 1989). Under the 1995 renovations the secondary school was completely renewed.

Today

Although it is a prestigious school, usually among the top five of Hungary (cf. Public school (UK)), only a small tuition fee is required, in accordance with one's means. Today there are about 300 students studying here for four or six years (from the age of 12 or 14), until the maturity examination certificate at the age of 18. There are usually two classes in every year, each with 30–40 people.

Students are allowed to choose between German and English, and between Italian and Latin (of course, they may take up further languages as well). Specialization is possible from the age of 16 in any two subjects. Approximately half the teachers are monks, and the other half is lay (men and women). There are several study circles available for the students, and they may see movies twice a week. Students live in dormitories of 30 until the age of 16, and in rooms of 4 (sometimes 2) persons during the last two years.

Further sights

Around the monastery one can find the Arboretum (founded in 1820, with more than 400 species, among them several specialities), the Millennium Monument (Neoclassicistic, 1896), the Our Lady Chapel (Baroque, 1724; Romantic, 1865), the Way of the Cross (Baroque, 1724), and the Blessed Maurice Lookout Tower in the woods nearby.

See also

Further settlements of the Benedictine Order

• Győr
• Tihany
• Bakonybél
• Budapest

Further famous secondary schools in Hungary

• Piarista Gimnázium
• Fazekas Mihály Gimnázium
• Apáczai Csere János Gimnázium
• Trefort Ágoston Gimnázium
• Radnóti Gimnázium
• Patrona Hungariae
• Sárospatak
• Fasori Gimnázium

External links

• Archabbey of Pannonhalma
• UNESCO description
• Description & pictures
• Description & pictures (Hungary.com)
• Pannonhalma, letter of privileges of Pannonhalma (The Vazul-line: Kings of the Árpád dynasty after St. Stephen (1038—1301))