Franciscan Friary – Gyergyószárhegy
The Franciscan friary of Gyergyószárhegy stands on the slope of Szármány Hill, above the Lázár Castle. It is one of the oldest sacred ensembles of the Gyergyó Basin and an important site of 17th-century Franciscan learning in Transylvania.
A group of chapels already stood here in the 15th century. In 1642 István Lázár invited two Franciscan friars to Szárhegy, and in 1665 István Lázár the Younger granted the chapels and their lands to the order by deed of gift.
The friary's most famous resident was János Kájoni, the 17th-century Transylvanian Franciscan scholar, organ builder and music collector, who as guardian built a wooden friary here and died at Szárhegy in 1687.
The ensemble has been battered by history several times: it was damaged by fires in the early 18th century and in the 19th century, and by an earthquake in 1940. In 1951 the communist regime removed the friars, who were only able to return in 1978. The stained-glass windows of the Baroque church are the work of József Palka.
The friary has also been home to contemporary art: from 1974 the Szárhegy artists' camp operated here, hosting artists within the friary walls for many years.
Visiting: the church can be visited during Mass or by prior arrangement. More on Franciscan friaries: Four Received Religions, One Land.
Photo: Țetcu Mircea Rareș / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Țetcu Mircea Rareș / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Town:
Gyergyószárhegy (Lăzarea)