Pannonhalma's Benedictine Archabbey is the second largest territorial (ie., approx. sovereign) abbey in the world, after the one in Monte Cassino.

History

It was founded as the first Hungarian Benedictine monastery in 996 by Prince Géza, who designated this as a place for the monks to settle, and then it soon became the centre of the Benedictine order. The monastery was built in honour of Saint Martin of Tours. Géza's son, King Stephen I donated estates and privilege to the monastery. Astrik (Anastasius) served as its first abbot.

The oldest surviving document to use Hungarian language, the Charter of the Tihany Benedictine Abbey, dating back to 1055, is still preserved in the library. The first buildings of the community were destroyed, then rebuilt in 1137. The Basilica's pillars and the early Gothic vault were built in the early XIII century, using the walls of the former church. In 1486 it was reconstructed under King Matthias in Gothic style.

The monastery became an archabbey in 1541 and as a result of Ottoman incursions into Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was turned into a fortification. During one and a half centuries of the Turkish Occupation, the monks, however, had to abandon the abbey for shorter or longer periods of time. Only later were they able to start the reconstruction of the damaged buildings. During the time of Archabbot Benedek Sajghó, a major baroque construction was in progress in the monastery.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, rich Baroque adornments and extensions were added to the complex and much of its current facade dates from this time. It received its present form in 1832, with the library and the tower, which was built in classicistic style. The 18th century, the era of the Enlightenment also influenced the life of the monasteries. The state and the monarchs judged the operation of the communities according to immediate utility, by and large tolerating only those orders which practised nursing and education. In the 1860s, Ferenc Storno organised major renovations, mostly in the basilica.

After 1945 the properties of the Order and the schools run by the Benedictines were confiscated by the communist state from 1950 until the end of communism in Hungary. In 1995, one year before the millennium, the complex was entirely reconstructed and renovated. In 1996, "the Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment" was elected among the UNESCO World Heritage sites.


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Coronation cloak of the kings of Hungary

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The winery of Pannonhalma Archabbey

Winemaking started in the Pannonhalma-Sokoróalja region when Benedictine monks founded the monastery of Pannonhalma in 996. Social and political turmoil following World War II made it impossible to continue the centuries-old traditions, since both the properties and the winery were taken over by the Communist state. In the ensuing decades, monks living in Pannonhalma did not give up hope of resuscitating their wine-making traditions. Since the fall of Communism, the monks have revived the viticultural traditions and the wineries. In 2000, the abbey repurchased vineyards that had been confiscated by the Communists and began replanting grape vines in the same year. The winery is situated on a 2000 m² plot with a capacity of 3000 hls. The main grape varieties are Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Welchriesling, Ezerjó and Sárfehér. In addition, they have planted the more international Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. They currently have 37 hectares under newly planted vines and the first harvest took place in autumn 2003.

and some of the great Abbey's wines

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Thanks for the thread, the pictures and the info, Kontúr! I have been waiting for a long time for such a thread to come up, actually, because the Pannonhalma Abbey is one of the most beautiful and unique sights in the country. It's also amazing what an awesome school they have there - I have many friends who studied there.
BTW the abbey is well-known for high-quality products other than wine: such as the Atque chocolate, available in the luxury shops of major Hungarian and foreign cities.

http://www.origo.hu/itthon/20080822-a-pannonhalmi-foapatsag-luxusipari-termekei-bor-likor-csoki-tea.html

The article is a little long to translate but it's well worth reading for everyone who understands Hungarian.

^^ Great news! I didn't know about these luxury items thanks for the info!

As it is a not well done mix of architectonic styles I can´t really clearly understand why it was signed in UNESCO..but it´s not very far from BA so I should visit it and look at it closer..
anyway good work Kontúr

It's the over 1000 year old history, the architecture and the scenery that makes Pannonhalma Abbey a well deserved UNESCO world heritage sight.

It's the over 1000 year old history, the architecture and the scenery that makes Pannonhalma Abbey a well deserved UNESCO world heritage sight.

probably it is more interesting as it looks on the photos..I just wanted to say that I cannot understand it inscription to UNESCO list as it is a mix of styles and it lacks authenticity which you can see in Stift Melk for example. And authenticity is one of the main criteria of UNESCO for inscription..

I really didn´t want to say, that it´s unattractive or even ugly. I just saw plenty of more interesting monasteries regarding to architecture..This one is at least very good placed in the surrounding country.

I don't know if I understand you well but I think a building complex can be authentic (meaning original) even if it is a mixture of styles. The present day form of the abbey wasn't built up as it is completely at the beginning. Naturally it just grew over time while they added some side-buildings and stuff over the centuries which was designed in the reigning style of the period it was built in. So it's not an imitaion or anything like that.

I don't know if I understand you well but I think a building complex can be authentic (meaning original) even if it is a mixture of styles. The present day form of the abbey wasn't built up as it is completely at the beginning. Naturally it just grew over time while they added some side-buildings and stuff over the centuries which was designed in the reigning style of the period it was built in. So it's not an imitaion or anything like that.

Probably you are right. Regarding for authenticity, for example Budin Castle isn´t authentic.. It was rebuilt many times, so we cannot talk about it´s original structure..
Another example: Karlstejn Castle was refused to sign in UNESCO because it was rebuilt in 19th century, so it lacks authenticity..

And when we are speaking about rebuilding. In the past there was a custom to rebuild something in an architecture that dominated in that age. But it was a whole structure, not just a part of it.. For example whole romanesque Basilica of St. Peter in Rome was rebuilt in renessaince style, or gothic St. Paul´s in London was rebuilt in Classicistic after Great fire.

Pannonhalma was also rebuilt and I mean mainly the gothic church which should be one of the most attractive part of the monastery. So we cannot speak about something really old..Really old in this monastery is probably it´s Cloisters and some romanesque parts but that´s all..
What is really fascinating is that this monastery was established in the year of Stephen´s coronation. This is the same in Slovakia, in Nitra Monastery which was established during the reign of Svatopluk (before year 900)..

Sieg has also been to Pannonhalma...

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Cool collection of photos! I never been to Pannonhalma, maybe its time :)

Itt rend van.

^^ szerzetesrend :D

Awesome pictures guys! Thank you!