{"id":1671,"date":"2026-11-02T17:15:49","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T16:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peregrinus.hu\/a-hit-orzoi-ferences-kolostorok-szekelyfoldon\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T17:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T16:15:49","slug":"the-faith-filled-franciscan-monasteries-in-szekelyfold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peregrinus.hu\/en\/a-hit-orzoi-ferences-kolostorok-szekelyfoldon\/","title":{"rendered":"Keepers of the faith \u2013 Franciscan friaries in Szeklerland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When we talk about the Sz\u00e9kely Land Catholic tradition, we cannot avoid mentioning the Franciscans. The monasteries of the brown-cloaked monks also kept their faith alive in the people of Cs\u00edk, Gyergy\u00f3 and K\u00e1szon even after the storms of the Reformation \u2013 and at the same time they operated schools, a printing press and libraries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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The defenders of faith after the Reformation<\/p>

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After the Reformation in the 16th century, monastic life virtually disappeared in Transylvania: at the beginning of the 17th century, there were only monks living in the monastery of Cs\u00edksomly\u00f3. Since there were few lay priests, the main protagonists of the Catholic revival were the Franciscans. By the middle of the 17th century, four monasteries \u2013 Cs\u00edksomly\u00f3n, Mikh\u00e1z\u00e1n, Feh\u00e9regyh\u00e1z\u00e1n and Ny\u00fajt\u00f3don \u2013 were operating again, and from here the new expansion of the order began.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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Cs\u00edksomly\u00f3 \u2013 the mother monastery<\/p>

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The monastery in Cs\u00edksomly\u00f3 was founded in 1442, and its first Gothic church was built between 1442 and 1448. The monastery was not only a place of worship but also an educational center: its gymnasium is mentioned as early as 1630, its printing press is linked to the name of K\u00e1joni J\u00e1nos, and here the famous Cantionale Catholicum was also published. The present Baroque basilica was consecrated in 1876. Detailed description of the church temple in Cs\u00edksomly\u00f3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Mikh\u00e1za \u2013 the monastery on Ny\u00e1r\u00e1d river<\/p>

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In 1635, the Franciscans who arrived in Marossz\u00e9k bought a house and land in Mikh\u00e1z\u00e1n from Tholdalagi Mih\u00e1ly, the chief kapitan of Marossz\u00e9k. His late Renaissance church was completed in 1678; the monastery operated as a school for more than a century. In 1949, the monks had to leave. Detailed description of the Mikha Monastery<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Gyergy\u00f3sz\u00e1rhegy \u2013 J\u00e1nos K\u00e1joni\u2019s home<\/p>

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The construction of the monastery above L\u00e1z\u00e1r Castle began in 1642 when Istv\u00e1n L\u00e1z\u00e1r invited Franciscans to Sz\u00e1rhegy; in 1665, the younger Istv\u00e1n L\u00e1z\u00e1r donated the chapels and the land to the order. Here, J\u00e1nos K\u00e1joni, one of the most educated Transylvanian monks of the time, lived and died in 1687. Detailed description of the monastery in Sz\u00e1rhegy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Esztelnek \u2013 Franciscan Center of H\u00e1romsz\u00e9k<\/p>

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The Franciscans settled Esztelnekhere in the last quarter of the 17th century. The present church was built between 1710 and 1729 using elements from the old St. George Chapel; the stone monastery was completed in 1750. It was rebuilt after the 1921 fire. Detailed description of the monastery in Esztergom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Sz\u00e9kelyudvarhely and Kanta<\/p>

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Sz\u00e9kelyudvarhelyThe Franciscans arrived as early as 1492, the foundation of the present monastery dates back to 1706; the construction of the church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul began in 1730. In the town section of K\u00e9zdiv\u00e1s\u00e1rhely named Kanta, the related order, the Minorites, settled at the end of the 17th century: their Church of the Trinity was built between 1727 and 1795, and their school was one of the oldest institutions in H\u00e1romsz\u00e9k.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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Visitor advice<\/p>

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