St Teresa of Ávila Cathedral – Subotica (Szabadka)
The late Baroque cathedral of Subotica (Szabadka) is the mother church of the Diocese of Subotica. Its patron saint, Saint Teresa of Ávila, is also the patron saint of the city.
The church was built between 1773 and 1779. Work began to the designs of the Pest architect Ferenc Kaufmann and was completed following the plans of Ádám Heiszler. The church is 61 metres long and 26 metres wide, its nave is 18 metres high and its two towers rise to 64 metres; a statue of the Virgin Mary stands on the roof between the towers.
Most of its altarpieces are the work of the Pest church painter Joseph Schoefft; the Holy Family is by Kaspar Schleibner of Munich and the Holy Cross by Emmanuel Walch of Innsbruck. Its organ was built in 1897 and restored in 1997.
The interior was completely restored in 1972–1973 for the building's bicentenary. In 1973 it was declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance, and on 29 April 1974 Pope Paul VI raised it to the rank of minor basilica.
Pilgrimage feast: On the feast of Saint Teresa of Ávila, 15 October.
Visiting: The cathedral stands in the centre of Subotica. Together with the Art Nouveau town hall and the synagogue, it is one of the city's most important sights.
Sources: Wikipedia · Magyar Kurír – consecration anniversary · Magyar Kurír – feast of St Teresa
Photo: Aktron / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Town:
Subotica (Szabadka)