Cathedral
Hungary's first cathedral in the neoclassical late Baroque style, designed by the Frenchman Isidor Canavale.
Its external appearance is a little different, from the appearance of cathedrals in Hungary. This is due to the fact that several architects worked on it. Austrian master builder Pilgram designed a traditional semicircular entrance, but the cost and the early death of the master did not allow it. His successor, Isidor Canevale, dreamed up a modern neoclassical look in line with the new architectural trend.
Later, many similar buildings were built, but the fact is that in our country in the middle of the XVII century it was considered very novel. Construction began in 1761, the church was consecrated in 1772, but the interior work was completed only in 1777.
The cathedral and its surroundings, the ecclesiastical center of the city. The Bishop's Palace opposite the main church is still the home of the Bishop of the Diocese of Vác. Looking around from the square in front of the church, the emblematic buildings look even more huge. The effect is not a sensual disappointment, but the result of conscious planning, since one of the most important goals was to surpass the previous ones in size and appearance of the new cathedral and proclaim the power and wealth of the Church.
It is also located between the two former main churches in terms of location. Our first cathedral stood on the territory of the former Vác castle, which became unusable after the Turkish era. Later, the church of St. Michael in the main square was used, but due to a series of rebuilds, the fire of 1731, it was demolished. The new church was consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary and St. Michael, commemorating the two former.
The cathedral also stands out from the ranks of monuments with its dimensions: external length 72 m, internal length: 60 m, height: 55 m. Hungary's fourth largest cathedral to visit, with its main façade dominated by a paired vestibule of six Corinthian columns between the towers
Above the dividing ledge are the works of the Vác sculptor József Bechert: from left to right: Peter, Paul, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, John, James.
The interior of the church delights with a wonderful late Baroque style, and the fresco of the main altar and dome was created by the most important Austrian painter of the XVIII century Franz Anton Maulbertsch, about the visit of the Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. However, Kristóf Migazzi did not find it suitable, and two years after its completion, he replaced it. In 1994, after 170 years, the original image emerged during restoration, which we can still see today. The church has a unique organ, and its uplifting sound can be fully enjoyed during organ concerts.
The Cathedral amazes tourists and the local population alike, and is still one of the most visited churches today. Services are held regularly, they are happy to choose it as the venue for marriage or baptism, and on holidays.
2600 Vác, Schuszter Konstantin tér 11.
The expected opening of the Cathedral is the end of 2023.
