Church of the Immaculate Conception – Csíkmenaság
The Roman Catholic church of Csíkmenaság is one of the most important medieval monuments of Alcsík. With 67 households in 1567, the village was then the largest in the Csík Basin; its church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
The church is first mentioned in 1583, but archaeological research has revealed a much older past: István Botár distinguished Romanesque, Early Gothic and Late Gothic building phases. From the Romanesque period a 13th-century rose window survives in the sacristy wall. The Gothic church dates from the 15th century; its nave was remodelled in Baroque style in 1655, the tower was built in 1836 and the side aisle in 1858.
The painted fields of the sanctuary's star and net vaulting show eight female saints, and the triumphal arch depicts the wise and foolish virgins. Parts of the former 16th-century winged altar – including the predella panel of the Lamentation – are now in the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest; its painter is known as the Master of the Csíkmenaság Altar of the Virgin.
The church holds a 16th-century statue of the Virgin and Baroque altars. Parts of the former fortified wall survive in altered form; at the south entrance of the churchyard stands Jenő Szervátiusz's First World War memorial. Its feast is held on 8 December, the Immaculate Conception.
Visiting: the church can be visited during Mass; the parish provides information about visits. Csíkmenaság belongs to the commune of Csíkszentgyörgy.
More about medieval churches: Faith set in stone – The fortified churches and frescoes of Szeklerland
Photo: Andrei kokelburg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 ro · Photo: Andrei kokelburg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 ro
Town:
Csíkmenaság (Armășeni)