Csenger Church, Csenger, Hungary

Csenger grew to become one of the most significant towns in the historical Szatmár County during the Middle Ages. It is probable that the construction work of the church began after 1322, and was completed in the second quarter of the century. Csenger’s medieval church is the only architectural heritage of the Great Plain’s medieval monumental architecture.

A crescent-shaped triumphal arch divides the rectangular nave from the sanctuary which is formed by five sides of an octagon. The sanctuary has a wagon roof, and a fabulous painted cassette-style wooden ceiling covers the nave. A monumental hexagon-shaped six-storey tower is attached to the church, which has been preserved in its original state.

The painted cassette-style wooden ceiling of the nave, which was created in 1745, is as well-known in Europe as it is in Hungary. The floral motifs on it refer to the earliest periods of Hungarian history. The wooden ceiling consists of 9x14 complete cassettes and a half row of cassettes. The oldest relic of this kind in the Upper Tisza region from 1745. The painted motifs of its square-shaped cassettes preserve Renaissance traditions.

The current pulpit has been installed almost exactly in its medieval position. Its bricked breast-wall is decorated with geometric mortar panels. The “crown” of the pulpit is far more simple and lower in position, compared to the baroque relics of the churches in the surroundings. (It is a sound reflector rather than a crown.) It was created in 1840, in Classicist style. On its ceiling, above the head of the pastor, the dove of the Holy Spirit levitates. The gallery and the pews were created in the 18th century. It is worth walking up and adoring the 200-year-old oak pews.

References:

templomut.hu.uk

Religious sites in Hungary

Address

Kossuth utca 2, Csenger, Hungary

See all sites in Csenger

Details

Founded: c. 1322
Category: Religious sites in Hungary

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Moncsi F (2 years ago)
Unfortunately, we didn't get inside, but the brick church from the 13th century is also very special from the outside.

Emir Kh (2 years ago)
Beautiful church, inside and out, a defining building of Csenger.

szigeti iuliu (3 years ago)
A great little place to relax.

Tibor F (4 years ago)
One of our largest surviving Gothic churches, perhaps this fact is less well known ... It is also very beautiful from the outside, the church garden is well maintained. Due to the change in our program, we no longer had the opportunity to make an appointment in advance, so we could not see the interior of the church ...

György Pap (5 years ago)
It is a little-known gem of our Gothic architecture. Not only is the overall picture distinctive, but it is rich in original elements both inside and out.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Csenger Church